Anas falcata
falcated duck
(Also: falcated teal)

The range of Anas falcata, also known as falcated teals or ducks, is from eastern Siberia and Mongolia to northern Japan with wintering grounds in southeast Asia to eastern India. There have also been sightings of falcated teals in America, Poland and Thailand. However, these sightings have been attributed to vagrant ducks and ducks that have escaped from captivity. ("Bronze-Capped Teal", 1970; Clements, 2007; Johnsgard, 1978; Li, et al., 2008; Ozarowski, et al., 1993; Robertson, 1992; San Miguel and McGrath, 2005; Soothill and Whitehead, 1978)

Falcated teal belong to the order Anseriformes. As such, they are normally found in freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers and marshes that are surrounded by forest. They can also be found off the shores of Japan. (Johnsgard, 1978; Soothill and Whitehead, 1978)

Males and females are similar in length at 46 to 53 cm. Their weights range from 422 to 770 g, with males being slightly lighter than females. Their wingspans are 79 to 91 cm.

Both sexes have black bills, a brown iris, gray to yellowish colored legs, and an iridescent green speculum on each wing.

Males in breeding plumage have a crested head which is iridescent green and purple in color. They also have a white neck and a white spot just above the bill. Their bodies are gray and black. Their most interesting characteristic is their uniquely shaped tertial feathers; they are falcated, or sickle-shaped, and extend over the other wing feathers. Males in eclipse appear more like the females.

Females are brown and white in color and do not have the falcated tertial feathers. They look very similar to gadwalls, though falcated teal have a small crest on their head and their speculums are green.

Juveniles have plumage similar to that of females. ("Falcated Duck Identify", 2007; Dunn and Alderfer, 2007; Johnsgard, 1978; Soothill and Whitehead, 1978)

Falcated teal form strong seasonal monogamous pairs and have a very intricate courtship ritual.

Females begin with an inciting call. They then perform a display that includes pointing their bills, lifting their chins and emitting soft rrr sounds. This display is reminiscent of that of gadwalls. They also perform an introductory shake display and preen behind the wings of favored males. Lastly, males make a hoarse gak-gak call when they are displaying.

Males use displays that are widely used throughout the Anas genus. These include an exaggerated introductory shake, a neck-stretching burp call, a grunt-whistle and a head-up-tail-up display. (Johnsgard, 1978)

The breeding season for falcated teal is from May to early July. They make their nests on the ground near water, usually in tall grass or brush. Clutch sizes range from six to nine cream colored eggs. Incubation time ranges from 24 to 26 days and time to fledging is 45 to 60 days. ("Bronze-Capped Teal", 1970; Johnsgard, 1978; Soothill and Whitehead, 1978)

Females have a higher parental investment than males. They incubate the eggs for 24 to 26 days and then take care of the chicks until they are fully fledged, which is 45 to 60 days after hatching. Males tend to stay near the nesting site only for the first half of the incubation period. (Johnsgard, 1978)

There is no data on longevity or mean life expectancy of falcated teal.

Falcated teal tend to be seen in pairs and small groups. During migration and winter, however, they will be seen in large flocks. They are also often seen migrating and wintering with other Anas species, most commonly gadwalls. Most activity is performed during the day, but migration often occurs at night. ("Bronze-Capped Teal", 1970; Johnsgard, 1978; Soothill and Whitehead, 1978)

Territory size for falcated teal is currently unknown. ("Bronze-Capped Teal", 1970; Johnsgard, 1978; Soothill and Whitehead, 1978)

Along with the intricate courtship displays, males of the species will produce a low trilling whistle and females have a quack that is similar to mallards.

Falcated teal appear to be very social creatures. They have been known to associate with other Anas species while wintering and have been known to produce viable offspring with them.

Like most birds, falcated teal perceive their environments through visual, auditory, tactile and chemical stimuli. (Chiba, 2010; Johnsgard, 1978; Soothill and Whitehead, 1978)

Falcated teal are mostly herbivorous, and eat vegetable matter, seeds, rice and aquatic plants. Occasionally they also consume small invertebrates and soft shelled mollusks. (Johnsgard, 1978; Soothill and Whitehead, 1978)

Flight is the main defense that falcated teal have against predators. Females' plumage features brownish tones that serve to better camouflage themselves, their nests, and ducklings within their grassy environments.

Humans are known to hunt falcated teal, both for food and their feathers. There is no information on other possible predator species. However, it can be assumed that the predators of other Anas species also prey on falcated teal. (Johnsgard, 1978)

Since falcated teal eat grains and the seeds of plants, it can be assumed that they help to disperse seeds over a wide area.

Falcated teal, like many migratory birds, are host to a large number of parasites. Ectoparasites include ticks, fleas and lice. There are also a vast amount of internal parasites that use these birds as hosts. These include viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoans. Some of the better known diseases that can be carried by falcated teal include: West Nile Virus, Avian Influenza, Avian Pox, Salmonellosis, Staphylococcosis, and E. coli. Many of these can be transferred to other vertebrates, including humans. (Hubálek, 2004)

Over the last few decades, falcated teal have been used as an ornamental species in duck collections. This sets up a market for the raising and selling of this species.

They are also often hunted in the wild and are an important source of food for some of the countries in their range. Their feathers are also harvested and used for a variety of purposes. (Johnsgard, 1978)

With the number of diseases and parasites that falcated teal can carry, they may be considered a slight risk to humans and their domesticated animals.

Currently falcated teal are not threatened, but are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) this species is of least concern. They inhabit a wide geographic range and their population numbers appear to be stable. There are efforts to regulate hunting of all waterfowl, including falcated teal, and to provide alternate employment for some local hunters that may severely decrease local duck populations. (Birdlife International, 2008)