Baikal Teal

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iBaikal Teal

An adult Baikal Teal duck.

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Anseriformes
Family:	Anatidae
Genus:	Anas
Species:	A. formosa

Binomial name

Anas formosa
Georgi, 1775

The Baikal Teal (Anas formosa) is a dabbling duck which breeds within the forest zone of eastern Siberia from the Yenisey basin eastwards to Kamchatka. It is a migratory species, wintering in Japan, Korea and northern and eastern China. Molecular (Johnson & Sorenson, 1999) and behavioral (Johnson et al., 2000) data suggests that it has no close relatives among living ducks and should be placed in a distinct genus; it is possibly closest to such species as the Garganey and the Northern Shoveler.

At between 39 and 43 cm, this duck is slightly larger and longer-tailed than the Common Teal. The breeding male is unmistakable, with a striking green, yellow and black head-pattern and a white vertical line at the side of the breast.

The females also have a distinctive head pattern with a small but prominent circular white loral spot, and a dark stripe behind the eye. Some "females" have "bridle" markings on their face, but it has been suggested that at least some of these bridled "females", if not all, are in fact juvenile males ^[1]. The juvenile has a similar plumage to that of the female, and can be distinguished from the Common Teal by the pale loral spot.

In non-breeding (eclipse) plumage, the drake looks more like the female, but plumage is a much richer rufous colour.

It breeds in pools on the tundra edge and within swampy forests. In winter it is found on lowland freshwaters.

This species is classified as Vulnerable due to hunting and destruction of its wintering wetland habitats. However, more recent books state that the species is making a good comeback ^[2].

[edit] References

BirdLife International (2006). Anas formosa. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is vulnerable

Johnson, Kevin P. & Sorenson, Michael D. (1999): Phylogeny and biogeography of dabbling ducks (genus Anas): a comparison of molecular and morphological evidence. Auk 116(3): 792–805. PDF fulltext

Johnson, Kevin P. McKinney, Frank; Wilson, Robert & Sorenson, Michael D. (2000): The evolution of postcopulatory displays in dabbling ducks (Anatini): a phylogenetic perspective. Animal Behaviour 59(5): 953–963 PDF fulltext

^ Dunn, John L. and Alderfer, Jonathan, "National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Fifth Edition" ISBN 0-7922-5314-0
^ Dunn, John L. and Alderfer, Jonathan, "National Geographic Complete Birds of North America", ISBN 0-7922-5314-0