General

Baikal Teal: Small dabbling duck with striking head pattern of pale brown, green, white, and black. Breast is pink with dark spots, flanks are gray bordered with vertical white stripes, and long scapulars are chestnut-brown, black, and white. Wing speculum is green with buff upper border and white lower border. Undertail coverts are black. Female is mostly brown with dark-centered feathers on back and sides, dark spots on breast and a distinctive white spot at base of bill.

Range and Habitat

Baikal Teal: Breeds in eastern Russia and spends the winter in East Asia. Occurs in Alaska and in limited areas of the west coast states. Nests near swampy tundra areas. Spends winters on freshwater lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and farmlands, often roosting on water during the day and feeding in fields at night.

Breeding and Nesting

Baikal Teal: Six to ten white eggs, often yellow-tinted, are laid in a ground nest made of dried grass and plants lined with feathers and down. Incubation ranges from 21 to 25 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Baikal Teal: Feeds on seeds, aquatic snails, algae, and plants.

Vocalization

Baikal Teal: Utters a deep, chuckling "klo-klo."

Similar Species

Baikal Teal: Breeding males are unmistakable. Eclipse and immature male resembles female.