Baikal Teal Identification Guide

Baikal Teal

Key facts

Scientific name: Sibirionetta formosa
UK status: Accidental (rare vagrant)
Global conservation status: Least concern
Length: 40 cm
Wingspan: 70 cm
Weight: 450 g

Description

The Baikal teal, also known as the bimaculate duck or squawk duck, is a dabbling duck that is slightly larger than the common teal. Males in breeding plumage have a striking green nape, and yellow and black cheeks, neck, and throat with a darker crown. They have long, drooping scapulars with front and near white bars.

Female Baikal teals are similar to green-winged teals but with a longer tail and she has a white throat and distinctive white spot at the base of the bill. Some females have bridled markings on their face although its been suggested that these are sometimes, if not all, juvenile males.

Seen a bird and not sure what it is?

Try our interactive bird identifier

Diet

Baikal teals feed on seeds, grain, water snails, algae, and other aquatic plant matter.

Listen

Andrew Spencer/xeno-canto

Range and habitat

Baikal teals breed in eastern Russia and winter in East Asia. They can be found in rivers, pools, marshes, and freshwater and brackish wetlands.

Discover more rare birds

Egyptian Nightjar
Egyptian Nightjar
Caprimulgus aegyptius
Yellow-Rumped Warbler
Yellow-Rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
Ortolan Bunting
Ortolan Bunting
Emberiza hortulana
Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
Pheucticus ludovicianus
Common Nighthawk
Common Nighthawk
Chordeiles minor
Alder Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Empidonax alnorum
Allen's Gallinule
Allen’s Gallinule
Porphyrio alleni
American Wigeon
American Wigeon
Mareca americana
Tufted Puffin
Tufted Puffin
Fratercula cirrhata
Woodchat Shrike
Woodchat Shrike
Lanius senator

Save 20% off RSPB Nest Boxes - offer ends 17th Feb

Save 20% off RSPB Boxes!

Save 20% off RSPB Nest Boxes! Hurry - offer ends 17th February