Teal are small freshwater ducks that are found in areas with shallow water across North America, Europe, and Asia. They are omnivorous birds and eat a varied diet consisting of both plant and animal matter. Some of the main things that teal like to eat include:
Aquatic Plants
Teal will feed on the leaves, stems, roots, and seeds of aquatic plants that grow in the shallow marshes and wetlands where they live. Some common aquatic plants consumed by teal include:
– Pondweeds
– Wild celery
– Bulrushes
– Bur reeds
– Arrowheads
– Smartweeds
Teal use their small serrated bills to grasp and uproot aquatic vegetation. They will also dabble and tip dive underwater to reach plants below the surface. Aquatic plants provide teal with carbohydrates and fiber.
Grains
During migration and in wintering areas, teal will supplement their diet with grains from agricultural fields. They primarily feed on waste grains left behind after harvest such as:
– Rice
– Corn
– Wheat
– Millet
– Barley
Teal have also been known to visit fields prior to harvest to feed directly on the growing crops. Grains provide teal with carbohydrates and protein.
Insects
Teal consume a variety of insects, especially larval forms which are soft-bodied. Common insects in the teal diet include:
– Midges
– Fly larvae
– Dragonflies
– Damselflies
– Mayflies
– Beetles
– Grasshoppers
Teal forage along shorelines and skim the water’s surface to feed on insect life. Insects supply teal with protein.
Mollusks
Teal will eat small aquatic mollusks such as:
– Snails
– Mussels
– Clams
Using their serrated bills, teal are able to grasp the shells and remove the soft body of mollusks to consume. Mollusks provide protein and calcium in the teal diet.
Crustaceans
Small crustaceans are also eaten by teal, including:
– Shrimp
– Crabs
– Crayfish
– Seed shrimp
Crustaceans add protein as well as important vitamins and minerals to the teal diet.
Fish
Although not a primary food source, teal have been known to eat small fish on occasion such as:
– Minnows
– Sticklebacks
– Tadpoles
Teal will catch small fish by dabbling and filter feeding along the water’s edge. Fish provide protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
Seeds
In addition to grains, teal will eat the seeds of wetland plants to gain carbohydrates and protein. Common seeds include:
– Smartweed
– Pondweed
– Bur reed
– Duckweed
What do teal eat in the spring and summer vs fall and winter?
The diet of teal changes across the seasons as different food sources become more readily available.
Spring and Summer Diet
During the spring and summer breeding season, teal mostly consume animal matter. Their diet consists of:
– Aquatic insects – Provides protein for growth of ducklings
– Crustaceans – High in calcium for egg production
– Mollusks – Good source of protein
– Small fish – Important omega-3s for duckling brain development
– Aquatic plants – Carbohydrates and fiber
The high protein diet helps female teal to produce nutritious eggs and raise ducklings during breeding season.
Fall and Winter Diet
In the fall and winter, teal shift to eating more plant matter and agricultural grains. Their diet includes:
– Grains – Readily available from agricultural fields
– Seeds – Carbohydrates and protein
– Aquatic plants – Primary food source in the colder months
– Insects – Less abundant but still consumed
The higher carbohydrate diet provides teal with energy for migration and maintaining body heat throughout the colder months when insect prey is scarce.
Interesting teal feeding behaviors
Teal exhibit some interesting behaviors and adaptations related to their feeding:
Dabbling
Teal are categorized as dabbling ducks. When feeding, they will tip their body vertically into the water with tail feathers upended to reach underwater food sources. This dabbling behavior allows them to filter feed along the surface and reach vegetation below.
Serrated bill
Teal have a small but serrated bill which allows them to tightly grip aquatic plants, mollusks, and insects. The comb-like edges of their bill help teal hold onto slippery food items.
Rapid feeding
Teal can eat very rapidly, making the most of abundant food resources. They have been known to consume over 40% of their body weight in a single day during prime feeding periods.
No crop
Unlike many other ducks, teal do not possess a storage pouch or crop to accumulate food over time. Instead they have a simple, efficient digestive system to process foods quickly.
Opportunistic
Teal are opportunistic feeders, taking advantage of the most readily available food sources in their habitat. Their diverse palate allows them to shift between protein-rich animal matter and carbohydrate plant foods.
Conclusion
In summary, teal are omnivorous ducks that feed on a diverse diet of aquatic plants, grains, insects, mollusks, crustaceans, and fish. Their small serrated bill allows them to tightly grip food. Teal dabble and filter feed along the water’s surface to reach plant and animal foods. They consume more animal matter consisting of insects, mollusks, and fish during breeding season in spring and summer to meet protein needs. In fall and winter, teal shift to eating more carbohydrate-rich plant foods such as grains and seeds from agricultural fields. Teal exhibit opportunistic feeding behaviors, taking advantage of abundant food resources whenever they are available. Their diverse palate allows them to thrive across varied wetland habitats.
