Baikal Teal

A Baikal Teal is a fun bird to see while bird watching. Below are some tips to help you identify Baikal Teals. We have also put together a list of fun Baikal Teal t-shirts, Baikal Teal bird patches, birdhouses, bird feeders, binoculars, stickers, and other fun bird-watching items.

About Baikal Teals

The Baikal Teal is a beautiful small bird of the Goose and Duck family that can typically be found around Eastern Asia with some wandering to Alaska. This particular dabbling Duck is said to be decreasing in its native range and has been frequenting Alaska less in recent decades.

Description and Identification

Baikal Teal can be described with a dark brown top head, a buff with some green patches on the face. Whereas a female Baikal Teal is concerned the breast is slightest pink and light brown speckled with some black with blush gray sides. Baikal Teals can have a height of 11.75- 15.75 inches and if one talks about the weight it can vary to about 1 pound. Adult Baikal Teals have a dark gray bill, brown eyes, gray, yellowish-gray legs, and dusky webbed feet. The head and neck are either creams, black or green. The crown, crape, and throat are black. It’s interesting to know that when Baikal Teals fly or during spring or when they are in folks they utter a non-stop contact call called as deep chattering “wot-wot-wot” and the females utters a low “couac”.

Baikal Teal Color Pattern

It has a very bold and distinct head pattern and is comprised of patches of brown, green, white, and black. The males have a spotted pink breast with blue-gray sides and black tail feathers. They have rather long feathers on their shoulders with streaks of black white and red. The female bird is plainer and juveniles have a white underside with dark patches. During non-breeding seasons, the male looks a little like the female, however, the plumage is a richer reddish-brown color.

Baikal Teal Size

Both sexes are between 15 and 17 inches in length, weigh 1 pound, and have a height of 11.75-15.75 inches.

Baikal Teal Behavior

The male sound is characterized by a deep chuckling “wot” sound while the females produce a low quack. Males and non-breeding females tend to molt a little while after their eggs hatch whereas breeding females begin molting later towards the end of summer. The ducklings are accustomed to learning to fly in August and become independent adults thereafter. During autumn and winter seasons, these species assemble in large flocks which move around in exquisite patterns similar to those formed by the Common Starling.

Baikal Teal Diet

Small aquatic invertebrates for example small snails, grains seeds are usually consumed by Baikal Teals. They remain and feed in the agricultural feeds during the days. Baikal Teals can also be found consuming certain algae, aquatic plants, seeds, leaves and grass weeds, sedges, aquatic vegetation, seeds coming from crops such as rice and soya, and acorns. The Baikal Teal mostly feeds on grain and seeds, algae, water snails, and plants dominantly found in the water.

Baikal Teal Habitat

Baikal Teals during the summer breeding season like to be in freshwater ponds, pools in the tundra regions. They are usually found in the marshes and the lakes, in the streams, and in some blackish areas as well during the winter.  In the wintering ones they stay in the farmlands and during the days they like to stay in the water as described above. Often seen in very large groups mixed with other species of ducks on wintering waterways. Pools, marshes, small lakes, rivers are frequent places where Baikal Teals are frequently found.

The Baikal Teal tends to nest in open meadows, close to the water, and I mossy bogs during the breeding season. During winter, it is found in freshwater lakes and rivers while feeding on farmland during the day.

Range and Migration

Baikal Teal is also called the Squawk Duck or the Bumiculate Duck is an eastern Asia small Duck that can be found in the regions of East Siberia, Russia and is also found in the passages of Mongolia and North Korea. Baikal Teals during the breeding season can be seen in regions like the forest zone of eastern Siberia from the Yenisei basin eastwards to Kamchatka northern Koryak, eastern Magadan Oblast, northern Khabarovsk Krai, southeastern and northern Sakha east-central Irkutsk Oblast, and northern Krasnoyarsk Krai. It sometimes also breeds in the pools on the tundra edge. Baikal Teals are found in the winters during the daytime, frosting on water and feeding during the nights.

Baikal Teal Nesting

The nest of Baikal Teals can be found in high grasses near the water on the ground mainly build by the females situated near the water and in a dry place.  They lay greenish-gray eggs usually 8 to 10 in numbers.  They are very hardy but have not bred that well in captivity. It nests in open tussock meadows near water and mossy bogs with clumps of willows Salix and larch Larix. They are also solitary nesters and sometimes nest in small groups as well. The nests are mainly concealed in vegetation such as grasses and shrubs.

Ornithology

Bird Watching Academy & Camp Subscription Boxes

At the Bird Watching Academy & Camp we help kids, youth, and adults get excited and involved in bird watching. We have several monthly subscription boxes that you can subscribe to. Our monthly subscription boxes help kids, youth, and adults learn about birds, bird watching, and bird conservation.

Bird Watching Binoculars for Identifying Baikal Teals

The most common types of bird watching binoculars for viewing Baikal Teals are 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. Bird Watching Academy & Camp sells really nice 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. You can view and purchase them here.

Baikal Teal Stickers

Stickers are a great way for you to display your love for bird watching and the Baikal Teal. We sell a monthly subscription sticker pack. The sticker packs have 12 bird stickers. These sticker packs will help your kids learn new birds every month.

Bird Feeders For Baikal Teals

There are many types of bird feeders. Bird feeders are a great addition to your backyard. Bird feeders will increase the chances of attracting birds drastically. Both kids and adults will have a great time watching birds eat at these bird feeders. There are a wide variety of bird feeders on the market and it is important to find the best fit for you and your backyard.

Best Bird Houses For Baikal Teals

There are many types of birdhouses. Building a birdhouse is always fun but can be frustrating. These 4 birdhouses have become our favorites. Getting a birdhouse for kids to watch birds grow is always fun. We spent a little extra money on these birdhouses but they have been worth the higher price and look great.