Chestnut Teal

Anas castanea

Distribution: South-eastern Queensland to Victoria, south and mid-west Australia, and Tasmania.

Nest: In a hollow limb or hole in a tree, but occasionally on the ground in herbage near the water; lined with down.

They wander around reassuring each other with quiet little quacks while taking chunks of bread over to the water-dish, soaking them and gulping them down.

 The male often waits while the female has her fill before attending to his own needs.

 They didn't seem to mind my proximity while I was photographing them although the same type of bird at the lake nearby gets nervous and flees if I attempt to get anywhere near them..

Eggs: Nine to thirteen; cream coloured (unless nest-stained), the surface being glossy. Breeding season: June to December

Description: Also called Green-Headed Teal, Black Teal, and Mountain Teal. Usually in small flocks, often in company of Grey Teal, frequenting salt-water lakes, inlets and swamps,generally coastal but occasionally on inland-streams and lagoons. The female closely resembles the Grey Teal.

Food: aquatic vegetation and animal life.

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Obviously a breeding pair, this couple spent the summer of the big drought visiting us. (2006)