Bird
Chestnut Teal
Anas castaneaAlso known as Green-headed Teal, Chestnut-breasted Teal
Chestnut teals thrive in coastal estuaries, saline wetlands, and tidal inlets across southern Australia where few other freshwater ducks venture. Breeding drakes display a shimmering bottle-green head paired with rich chestnut body plumage, while the mottled brown females closely resemble female grey teals. Unlike many nomadic inland waterfowl, breeding pairs often establish long-term territories and work together to defend their broods.
WaterfowlWetlandDimorphic
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyAquatic Invertebrates, Aquatic Seeds, Mollusks
Predators
- Red Fox
- White-bellied Sea-Eagle
- Swamp Harrier
ThreatsWetland degradation, drainage of coastal marshes, and introduced predators
HabitatsEstuaries, coastal lagoons, brackish swamps, and tidal flats
Life span8–15 years
Classification
- OrderAnseriformes
- FamilyAnatidae
- GenusAnas
- SpeciesAnas castanea
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Scanning muddy margins: Look for them upending in shallow coastal pools and mangrove fringes at low tide.
- Female identification: Look for a darker throat and slightly richer brown tone to separate females from grey teals.
- Binocular distance: Keep a respectful distance along shorelines so nesting pairs do not abandon their broods.
Frequent Companion (c) Tim, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tim · cc-by
Wetland Neighbor (c) Jacqui Geux, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jacqui Geux · cc-by
Predator JJ Harrison / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Saryu Mae 前 朝琉, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Saryu Mae 前 朝琉 · cc-by
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