Common Teal is the smallest dabbling duck. The bird is about 12 to 16 inches in length. The male duck is dark-colored with a chestnut head, green ear patch, flashing green speculum, pale gray sides and pinkish breast with a horizontal white stripe above the flanks.
The female of the species is dark brown in color lacking characteristic markings. Usually 10 to 12 whitish or pale buff eggs are laid in a down-lined cup in tall grass that is often located several hundred yards from water. It inhabits marshes, ponds and marshy lakes. Common Teal is locally called Chhoti Murgabi, Kerra or Chowtee.
