Grey teal

It is identified by the presence of a crimson coloured iris in its eyes, which is relatively more prominent in adult males. It is a mottled brown duck with white and green flashes on its wings. Males and females share the same colouration, in contrast to the related chestnut teal, male and female of which are strikingly different. The grey teal has almost identical colouration to the female chestnut teal and the grey can only be distinguished by its lighter coloured neck and paler face. Juveniles are paler than adults, especially on the head. However, they can be identified by having a dull brown eye until matured. The bill of the grey teal is a blue-grey colour with dark lining around the edges. Feet are a similar colour to that of the bill being grey. The tendency seems to be that body moult (including wings) generally occurs between the months of January to March. Juveniles will undergo a moult of the entire body other than the wings, which occurs in the first autumn or early winter. The grey teal was formerly considered a subspecies of the Sunda teal, as Anas gibberifrons gracilis. Widespread throughout its large range, it is evaluated as "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. == Range ==

Natural global range The grey teal can be found as a breeding species a number of places across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea and Indonesia. However, it can also be seen in the Solomons and New Caledonia, where it is vagrant. New Zealand range The grey teal is a self-introduced species to New Zealand, arriving from Australia, where it is much more abundant. It was rare in New Zealand until the 1950s, but several natural events in Australia led to a huge increase in numbers. Now, it is a very common waterbird and can be found throughout New Zealand, There are areas where the species is more concentrated (larger populations), such as the districts of Hawke's Bay, Waikato, South Auckland and Otago. Anas gracilis has also been seen wandering in the small New Zealand islands such as Chatham Islands (July 1951, December 1998) or Snares Islands (November 1987). In general the New Zealand grey teal population is smaller than the Australian population. == Habitat ==

The grey teal prefers to live in habitats of shallow water areas including lagoons, swamps and shallow freshwater lakes. which aids the rearing and survival of juveniles. The grey teal also prefers areas that have a sizeable marginal cover (meaning sufficient plant and vegetation growth around the margins), therefore they are not often seen in open spaces. Although it tends to choose freshwater sites during the breeding season, it is also known to be seen in coastal/salt waters occasionally, as well as slightly brackish waters. In terms of elevation the grey teal does not tend to populate in areas above above sea level; instead it prefers areas that are below above sea level. When nesting grey teal choose to create their nests amongst vegetation on the ground level, this vegetation may include reeds and tall grasses. They often also elevate nests above ground in tree hollows. == Ecology ==

Reproduction When establishing a pair-bond, male grey teal will perform a series of displays; some of these include headshakes and head rolls. Nesting is usually solitary for the grey teal; however, sometimes nesting sites will be close together, meaning breeding pairs may be close to one and other. Nesting time occurs between the months of June–February in South Australia and slightly later in the area of North Australia – and directed. Either way, "these flights occurred over distances up to across the arid inland.". To obtain seeds, grey teal will strip them from the aquatic vegetation. Although this disease usually is asymptomatic (infected but shows no symptoms) if severe the infection can result in weakness, lameness and loss of muscle tissue. == Relationship with humans ==

Game season and conservation status is given emergency care. The grey teal, Anas gracilis, is fully protected in New Zealand. The population was estimated at 20,000 birds in 1976 and has increased to 50,000 in 2005. Considering that now the grey teal is a common bird in the island, the government considered adding the duck to the game bird list when the Wildlife Act was reviewed in 2010. However it did not occur and the bird kept its conservation status. == References ==