British Waterfowl Association

Ringed Teal

Ringed Teal
Ringed Teal drake — David Tomlinson
Ringed Teal duck — Mo Warren

Callonetta leucophrys

Ringed Teal are an attractive addition to any wildfowl collection being both amiable and lively. However, they are not fully winter hardy and so require protection from frosts. Dry straw and/or heated mats will be appreciated.

Smaller perching ducks like this Ringed Teal pair may need some shelter if the weather turns really cold — Morag Jones

Whilst the males have a bright and colourful plumage, the females are attractive but more subtle. Both are relatively silent, the male emitting a soft whistle and the female a low quack. Free-winged birds regularly make short flights from one perch to another and make a pleasing sound as they fly.

In their natural environment their habitat is swamps and light tropical forest or marshy clearings.

In the wild, Ringed Teal nest in tree holes, so will take readily to nest boxes mounted above the ground to breed in captivity. They lay 4–10 eggs which they incubate for 23 days. If parent rearing, Ringed Teal may re-nest, leaving the drake to raise the first brood.