Description
The Grey Teal Duck is almost all grey-brown. Each feather of the body is edged with buff, except on the rump. The chin and throat are white, the bill is dark green and the eye is red. The secondary wing feathers have glossy blue-black patch, broadly bordered and tipped with white. In flight, a large white wedge is visible on the underwing. The Grey Teal Duck is one of the smaller Australian ducks.
Distribution
The Grey Teal Duck is found in New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands.
Lifespan
The average life expectancy of a Grey Teal Duck is approximately 17 years.
Size
The Grey Teal Duck measures between 40 – 60 cm in length. The male and females weigh roughly around the same 800g – 1.2 kg.
Diet
The Grey Teal Duck usually eats water plants stems, seeds, and insects.
Habitat
Grey Teal Ducks are common in all sheltered watered areas. These include fresh, brackish and salt water, and the birds can be found on the smallest area of water in the driest of areas.
Breeding
The Grey Teal Duck nests near freshwater lakes and marshes, usually on the ground, but also in tree holes or rabbit burrows.