New Zealand Native Animals > Brown Teal

Brown Teal

Anas chlorotis

ENDEMIC; RARE; RESIDENT

DISTRIBUTION: Once widespread throughout lowland swamp and swamp forest, but has declined rapidly since the nineteenth century. Now mainly found on Great Barrier Island and parts of Northland, and occasionally seen in Fiordland.

HABITAT: Frequenting heavily vegetated wetlands, especially lagoons and tidal reaches of streams, they prefer areas with some slow-flowing or still, open water. It is possible that before the introduction of mammalian predators they were more terrestrial, foraging on the forest floor.

BREEDING: They can breed all year round, but generally start breeding in July extending through to the end of January. Nests in which 3-9 eggs are usually laid, are normally well hidden under clumps of vegetation or in cavities. Females solely incubate the eggs for the 27-30 days, while the male defends their territory. Chicks fledge at about six weeks.

FOOD: Not a lot is known about the diet of wild brown teal, however it is presumed they feed on invertebrates and plant material similar to most other members of the genus Anas (the typical ducks).

VOICE: Female: rapidly repeated quack and raucous growl. Male: utters wheezy ‘mnyea’ and a bell-like burp.

GENERAL: When disturbed they are reluctant to fly, and with a total population of less than 2,500, the presence of mammalian predators (which are now in their home ranges) they are vulnerable to extinction.


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