Editing Grey teal

{{Short description|Species of duck}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Grey teal
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 11 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2016 |title=''Anas gracilis'' |volume=2016 |page=e.T22680271A92853108 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22680271A92853108.en |access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref>
| image = GreyTeal.Pair.OscarThomas.jpg
| genus = Anas
| species = gracilis
| authority = [[Walter Buller|Buller]], 1869
| synonyms = ''Anas gibberifrons gracilis''
}}
[[File:Grey teal (Anas gracilis) Adelaide.jpg|thumb|In Adelaide Botanic Garden]]
The '''grey teal''' ('''''Anas gracilis''''') is a [[dabbling duck]] found in open wetlands in Australia and New Zealand.

== Description ==
It can be identified due to the presence of a crimson coloured iris in its eyes.<ref name="Wilderness Magazine">{{cite web | last=Winter | first=Matthew | title=Grey teal | website=Wilderness Magazine | date=2018-08-19 | url=https://www.wildernessmag.co.nz/grey-teal/}}</ref> This crimson colour is relatively more prominent in adult males.<ref name="Handbook" >{{cite book |last1=Marchant|first1= S. |last2= Higgins|first2= P. |year=1990 |title=Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds |volume=1, Ratites to ducks; Part B Australian pelican to ducks |pages=1252–1281 |location=Melbourne |publisher=Oxford University Press}}</ref> It is a mottled brown [[duck]] with white and green flashes on its wings. Males and females share the same colouration, in contrast to the related [[Chestnut Teal|chestnut teal]], whose male and female are strikingly different. The grey teal has almost identical colouration to the female chestnut teal and the grey can only be distinguished by its lighter coloured neck and paler face. Juveniles are paler than adults, especially on the head. However, they can be identified by a dull brown eye until matured.<ref name="Ducks, geese, and swans">{{cite book |last=Kear |first= J. |year=2005 |title=Ducks, geese, and swans |volume=2: Species accounts (Cairina to Mergus) |pages=569–572 |location=Oxford|publisher= Oxford University Press}}</ref> The [[Beak|bill]] of the grey teal is a blue-grey colour with dark lining around the edges. Feet are a similar colour to that of the bill being grey.<ref name="Ducks, geese, and swans"/> The head of the grey teal can be described as plain/slightly streaked, with a dark crown and cream coloured chin/throat and cheeks.<ref name="Handbook"/>

[[File:Juvenile Grey Teal - Pitt Town Lagoon.jpg|thumb|Juvenile grey teal]]

The eggs of the grey teal are a creamy white colour and are not distinctly speckled.<ref name="Ducks, geese, and swans"/> An average egg is {{Convert|49.3|mm|in|abbr=on}} in length and {{Convert|35.6|mm|in|abbr=on}} in width.<ref name="Handbook"/>
The grey teal nests near its favoured freshwater lakes and marshes, usually on the ground, but also in tree holes or [[rabbit]] burrows.

It is a vocal duck, especially at night. The male gives a soft {{Not a typo|''preep''}}, and the female has a loud quack.

The grey teal is a gregarious species. In Australia it is nomadic, rapidly colonising suitable habitat following rain. In 1957, large numbers fled Australia, moving to New Zealand to escape drought.

Adult grey teal, ''Anas gracilis'', undergo a flightless [[moult]] that is not fixed in the year. Before breeding season mature birds, both male and female, will undergo a body [[moult]] that excludes the wings.<ref name="Handbook"/> Then after breeding season, both partners will undergo a complete body [[moult]] (including wings). According to Janet Kear (2005),<ref name="Ducks, geese, and swans"/> in Australia the moult of this species is correlated with climate conditions. Indeed during prolonged wet season birds postpone wing moult in order to extend the breeding one – probably in order to better exploit [[wetlands]] resources. This postponement could be explained by the fact that ducks try not to [[moult]] and breed at the same time. For some species of birds it is even impossible to do both simultaneously.<ref>{{cite book |last=Newton |first= I. |year=2010 |title=The migration ecology of birds}}</ref> If we have to draw a tendency we could say that body moult (including wings) generally occurs between the months of January to March when it is late summer or early winter.<ref name="Handbook"/> Juveniles will undergo a complete moult of the entire body other than the wings, occurring in the first autumn or early winter.<ref name="Handbook"/>

It was formerly considered a subspecies of the [[Sunda teal]], as ''Anas gibberifrons gracilis''.

Widespread throughout its large range, the grey teal is evaluated as Least Concern on the [[IUCN Red List]] of Threatened Species.<ref name="iucn status 11 November 2021" />

== Range ==
[[Image:Grey Teal.ogg|thumb|250px|right|Stanthorpe, S. Queensland, Australia]]

=== Natural global range ===
The grey teal can be found as a breeding species in the following places across the globe; [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], [[New Guinea]] and [[Indonesia]].<ref name="What drives long-distance movements">{{cite journal | last1=Roshier | first1=David | last2=Asmus | first2=Martin | last3=Klaassen | first3=Marcel | title=What drives long-distance movements in the nomadic Grey Teal Anas gracilis in Australia? | journal=Ibis | volume=150 | issue=3 | date=2008 | issn=0019-1019 | doi=10.1111/j.1474-919X.2008.00806.x | doi-access=free | pages=474–484}}</ref> However, it can also be seen in the [[Solomon Islands|Solomons]] and [[New Caledonia]] where it is vagrant.<ref name="field guide">{{cite book |last1=Heather|first1= B. |last2= Robertson|first2= H. |year=2005|title=The field guide to the birds of New Zealand |pages=74, 80, 81, 258, 269 |publisher=Penguin Books |location=Auckland}}</ref>

=== New Zealand range ===
The grey teal is a self-introduced species to New Zealand from Australia, where it is much more abundant.<ref name="New Zealand Journal Of Zoology">{{cite journal | last=Mills | first=J. A. | title=Status, mortality, and movements of grey teal (''Anas gibberifrons'') in New Zealand | journal=New Zealand Journal of Zoology | volume=3 | issue=3 | date=1976 | issn=0301-4223 | doi=10.1080/03014223.1976.9517916 | doi-access=free | pages=261–267}}</ref> It was rare in New Zealand until the 1950s when several natural events in Australia led to a huge increase in numbers. Now it is a very common waterbird that can be found throughout New Zealand,<ref name="field guide"/> where its [[Māori language|Māori]] name is tētē.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 February 2015 |title=Wetland birds |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/14645/grey-teal |website=Te Ara}}</ref> However, there are areas where the species are more concentrated (larger populations) such as the districts of Hawke's Bay, Waikato, South Auckland and Otago.<ref name="New Zealand Journal Of Zoology"/> Grey teal are also more likely to be found in the Canterbury region and more specifically around Lake Ellesmere.<ref name="New Zealand Birds Online">{{cite web | title=Grey teal {{!}} Tētē-moroiti | website=New Zealand Birds Online | date=2012-08-02 | url=https://www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/grey-teal }}</ref> ''Anas gracilis'' has also been seen wandering in the small New Zealand islands such as Chatham Islands (July 1951, December 1998) or Snares Islands (November 1987).<ref name="New Zealand Birds Online"/> In general the New Zealand grey teal population is smaller than the Australian population.

== Habitat ==
The grey teal prefers to live in habitats of shallow water areas including lagoons, swamps and shallow freshwater lakes.<ref name="New Zealand Journal Of Zoology"/> Preference for shallower waters means that it is easier for ducklings to be able to swim and eat,<ref name="Journal">{{cite journal | last1=Gentilli | first1=J. | last2=Bekle | first2=H. | title=Modelling a Climatically Pulsating Population: Grey Teal in South-Western Australia | journal=Journal of Biogeography | volume=10 | issue=2 | date=1983 | doi=10.2307/2844621 | page=75| jstor=2844621 | bibcode=1983JBiog..10...75G }}</ref> which aids the rearing and survival of juveniles. The grey teal also prefers areas that have a sizeable marginal cover (meaning sufficient plant and vegetation growth around the margins),<ref name="New Zealand Journal Of Zoology"/> therefore they are not often seen in open spaces. Although it tends to choose freshwater sites during the breeding season, it is also known to be seen in coastal/salt waters occasionally, <ref name="Ducks, geese, and swans"/> as well as slightly brackish waters.<ref name="New Zealand Birds Online"/> In terms of elevation the grey teal does not tend to populate in areas above {{Convert|900|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level; instead it prefers areas that are below {{Convert|300|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level.<ref name="New Zealand Birds Online"/> When nesting grey teal choose to create their nests amongst [[vegetation]] on the ground level, this vegetation may include reeds and tall grasses.<ref name="Wilderness Magazine"/> They often also elevate nests above ground in tree hollows.<ref name="Wilderness Magazine"/>

== Ecology ==
=== Reproduction ===
When establishing a [[pair-bond]], male grey teal will perform a series of displays; some of these include headshakes and head rolls.<ref name="Handbook"/> These displays tend to occur in [[adolescent]] birds before breeding season, whereas for mature birds in established pair-bonds courtship rituals are used.<ref name="Handbook"/> This is because grey teal pair-bonds are long term and monogamous,<ref name="Ducks, geese, and swans"/> which means they keep the same mate through multiple seasons. Couples stay together all year; however, when late summer moult comes they often join large [[Flock (birds)|flocks]] and stay with them until July.<ref name="field guide"/> Moreover, "after breeding, [they] often gather at [[estuaries]] to feed on exposed mudflats".<ref name="field guide"/>

On average, the grey teal starts breeding at one year old. In [[Australia]] there is no reproductive season as breeding is linked to rainfall and food abundance.<ref name="field guide"/> The species had to adapt and breed in shallow temporary water. However, in [[New Zealand]] where the climate is more humid, breeding is more seasonal even if it is still related to water level. In terms of seasonality, grey teal will tend to breed in the summer-rainfall period.<ref name="Handbook"/> However, they will also breed at any time after a significant amount of rainfall.<ref name="Ducks, geese, and swans"/>  Thus, in New Zealand laying occurs between June and September "but replacement clutches can be laid through to January".<ref name="field guide"/> Therefore, their breeding time seldom shows a seasonal pattern.<ref name="CSIRO">{{cite journal | last1=Braithwaite | first1=Lw | last2=Frith | first2=Hj | title=Waterfowl in an inland swamp in New South Wales. 3. Breeding | journal=CSIRO Wildlife Research | volume=14 | issue=1 | date=1969 | issn=0007-9103 | doi=10.1071/CWR9690065 | page=65}}</ref>

Nesting is usually solitary for the grey teal; however, sometimes nesting sites will be close together, meaning breeding pairs may be close to one and other.<ref name="Handbook"/> Nests are often found in tree hollows or hidden amongst [[vegetation]] on the ground.<ref name="Wilderness Magazine"/> The grey teal is not known to construct nests other than using material found from its nesting site:<ref name="Handbook"/> grass and down.<ref name="field guide"/> Females will create a bowl in the ground that they proceed to fill with litter found around the site as well as surrounding the nest/bowl with [[Down feather|down]].<ref name="Handbook"/> Between 1–7 eggs will be laid in a nest at a time.<ref name="Locality Guide">{{cite book |last=Chambers|first= S. |year=2009 |title= Birds of New Zealand - Locality Guide |edition=3rd |pages=112–113 |publisher=Arun Books |location= Orewa, New Zealand}}</ref> Nesting time occurs between the months of June–February in [[South Australia]] and slightly later in the area of [[North Australia ]]<ref name="Ducks, geese, and swans"/> due to a slight difference in temperature; whereas in [[New Zealand]] grey teal tend to nest between the months of September–November.<ref name="Ducks, geese, and swans"/>

During the [[incubation period]], the male will stand guard and protect the female and eggs while she incubates them for 25–31 days.<ref name="field guide"/>  The clutch (group of eggs) size fluctuates, with an average clutch size being between 6–14 eggs.<ref name="Handbook"/> The laying of each egg is done in approximately 24-hour intervals with laying occurring early in the morning.<ref name="Handbook"/> If a pair loses a [[Offspring|brood]] (amount of chicks hatched at the same time) they will then begin to lay again only after a few weeks. Therefore, some pairs may lay several clutches per season.<ref name="Handbook"/> However, on average the grey teal will lay approximately two broods per season.<ref name="Handbook"/>

Female grey teal will [[brooding|brood]] young by themselves, however, when necessary (e.g. death of the female) the male will take over the brooding role and raise the ducklings.<ref name="Handbook"/> Male will also often be present at the later stages of brooding as the female will return to incubate/lay her next clutch.<ref name="Handbook"/> After hatching, parents and broods may remain close to each other for a number of weeks; once the young gains flight it then becomes independent.<ref name="Handbook"/> However, siblings will often stick together for a short amount of time once they have left home.<ref name="Handbook"/>

[[Fledging]] usually occurs between 35 and 40 days. Before that ducklings are grey-brown with off-white cheeks and underpart.<ref name="New Zealand Birds Online"/> For juveniles, both female and male grey teal become reproductively mature at one-year-old.<ref name="Ducks, geese, and swans"/> Therefore the forming of a pair-bonding will commonly occur in the first winter.<ref name="Ducks, geese, and swans"/>

=== Song ===
The call of the grey teal can be heard as a {{Not a typo|''cuck, cuck, cuck''}} that is relatively rapid and includes a sharp whistle.<ref name="Locality Guide"/> The male and female calls are different in terms of volume and type.<ref name="Handbook"/> The male's call tends to be more of a whistle, whereas the female's call is very loud and harsh sounding.<ref name="Handbook"/> For short-distance communication, the birds have a softer variation of their calls.<ref name="Handbook"/> The grey teal's voice is very similar if not identical to the voice of a [[Chestnut Teal|chestnut teal]].<ref name="Ducks, geese, and swans"/>

=== Migration ===
[[File:Grey Teal (Anas gracilis), Australia (30915198880).jpg|thumb|A [[Flock (birds)|flock]] of grey teals]]

For migratory birds living in stable temperate areas, day length and temperature bring [[migration (ecology)|migration]] about by triggering hormonal changes. However, for birds living in a [[stochastic]] environment where resources are often temporary (e.g. grey teal ''Anas gracilis'') hormonal control is less likely to allow good exploitation of resources hence allowing the survival of the species.<ref name="What drives long-distance movements"/> In this type of environment birds have to be able to detect resourceful locations and relocate, meaning they have to move all year round and do not have a migration season.

The grey teal is a great avian nomad that flies long distances. It "is often the exemplar avian nomad in analyses movement and migration".<ref name="What drives long-distance movements"/>  Thus, Roshier, D., Asmus, M., from Institute of Land, Water and Society, [[Charles Sturt University]], Australia and Klassen, M., from the Department of Plant-Animal interaction Netherlands Institute, [[Netherlands]], led a study about the long-distance movements of grey teal in [[Australia]]. Their goal was to determine what drives these long-distance flights. They found out that 13 out of 32 long-distance movements (> {{Convert|150|km|mi|abbr=on}}) recorded were due to rainfall and/or flooding events that occurred up to {{Convert|1050|km|mi|abbr=on}} from where the ducks initially were. Thus, it seems that water resources are a major reason in explaining the movements of grey teal. However, some birds moved to other [[wetlands]] without clear beneficial reasons. So, according to Roshier, D., Asmus, M., and Klassen, M., there are two types of movements: ranging – "a search for a place to feed or breed that should stop when the resources being sought are encountered"<ref name= "Boom and Bust">{{cite book |last1=Robin |first1= L. |last2= Heinsohn |first2= R. |last3=Joseph |first3= L. |year=2009 |title=Boom and Bust: Bird Stories for a Dry Country |pages=83–86}}</ref> – and directed. Either way, "these flights occurred over distances up to {{Convert|1200|km|mi|abbr=on}} across the arid inland.".<ref name="What drives long-distance movements"/> Thus, grey teal disperse widely throughout the Australian continent due to adaption to environmental change such as flooding, extensive dry periods or lack of food.<ref name="What drives long-distance movements"/> This process is carried out to seek their preferred environment of shallow [[wetlands]] with sufficient food supply and suitable breeding conditions. However, it is uncertain as to whether this behaviour should be referred to as 'migration' or whether a more appropriate term would be 'ranging'.<ref name="What drives long-distance movements"/> The same applies in New Zealand where the species is very mobile. This flying skill implies that the local population of grey teal changes constantly, both in New Zealand and Australia, which can lead to quick changes in numbers at any locality.

Most animals and birds living within the [[Northern Hemisphere]] live in very temperate environments, therefore, cues for [[migration (ecology)|migration]] and movement involve the change in [[temperature]] or [[day length]].<ref name="Boom and Bust"/> However, cues for grey teal are believed to be more discrete. Although it is undetermined as to whether grey teal migrate specifically, their movement is triggered by cues such as pressure gradients that occur due to changing weather systems, low-frequency sound/temperature, and visual cues such as lack of food source.<ref name="Boom and Bust"/> As well as this, it is believed that the grey teal uses its sense of smell to move and find suitable wetland environments.<ref name="Boom and Bust"/> Information from tracked grey teal reveals that some flight movements were due to distant thunderstorms occurring.<ref name="Boom and Bust"/> These thunderstorms were hundreds of kilometres away; however, due to their production of low-frequency sound, grey teal could detect this occurrence and move towards the source.<ref name="Boom and Bust"/> Due to [[Australia]] being close to the equator, it can become very dry and hot in most places. Therefore, the use of these cues is essential for grey teal to find wetland habitats aiding their survival.

=== Survival rates and life expectancy ===
[[File:Grey teal with eye injury from shotgun.jpg|thumb|Grey teal with an eye injury from [[shotgun]] [[Shot (pellet)|pellets]] at [[North Victorian Wetlands|Kerang Wetlands]]]]

From a study completed by J.A. Mills on the morality and status of grey teal in New Zealand, approximate survival rates were established. To establish the rate of survival, the birds were banded. It was recorded that 68% of [[juvenile (organism)|juvenile]]s die within the first year of life, 77% by their first two years of life and then 85% by the end of their fourth year.<ref name="New Zealand Journal Of Zoology"/> Thus resulting in approximately 0.96 years of expected life for juveniles after they have been banded (age of 2–4 months).<ref name="New Zealand Journal Of Zoology"/> For grey teal that survive to one year of age, they are expected to have a further 2.9 years of life. For adults, the mean average was 50% of deaths annually, whereas for juveniles it was 68%.<ref name="New Zealand Journal Of Zoology"/> Similar results were shown in an Australian study where the mean average of deaths for adults was 52%, and for juveniles 66%.<ref name="New Zealand Journal Of Zoology"/> Therefore from the data collected, it can be assumed that the grey teal has an approximate life expectancy of between 2–4 years old. However, some exceptions occurred since the oldest adult recorded in the wild in New Zealand was 9 years old. It was 21 years old in Australia.<ref name="field guide"/>

=== Diet and foraging ===
The grey teal has a diet mostly consisting of [[invertebrates]] from their habitat; these include [[larva]] of [[midges]], [[water beetles]], [[mosquitoes]] and [[caddisflies]],<ref name="field guide"/> as well as seeds from aquatic plants present in their habitat.<ref name="Handbook"/> Diet changes according to the locality and time of the year. Thus, in [[Australia]] grey teal feed mostly on plant material and especially seeds. It constitutes 87–97% of their diet. 
Although [[insects]] are eaten throughout the year, their part in the diet increases in spring. Similarly, [[molluscs]] and [[crustaceans]] are important in the diet only during spring and autumn.<ref name="New Zealand Birds Online"/>
In [[Australia]], the youngest ducklings feed only on insects but the relative amount decreases to only 30% when they are four weeks old.<ref name="New Zealand Birds Online"/>

Grey teal will regularly retrieve their food through the process of either [[dredging]] out [[estuary]] [[mudflats]] or exposed margins of lakeside to filter out food. Dabbling and upending in shallow water areas is another technique used for food retrieval,<ref name="field guide"/> to collect [[invertebrates]] from just below the water surface.<ref name="Birds and animals of Australia's Top End">{{cite book |last1=Leseberg |first1= N. |last2= Campbell|first2= I. |year=2015 |title=Birds and animals of Australia's Top End |page=32}}</ref> To obtain seeds, grey teal will strip them from the aquatic vegetation.<ref name="Handbook"/> During breeding season grey teal will feed strictly in breeding pairs or family parties; however, once the breeding season is over they tend to feed as a flock.<ref name="Handbook"/> In terms of [[ducklings]], they must forage for their own food as there is no feeding from parents that occurs.<ref name="Handbook"/> Grey teal will feed at both morning and night time.<ref name="Handbook"/>

=== Predators, parasites, and diseases ===
Predators, parasites and disease is an area that has not been particularly well studied in grey teal. However, in [[Australia]], they are considered a game bird due to large population numbers.<ref name="Ducks, geese, and swans"/> Therefore hunters and duck shooters are a significant predator of these birds; whereas in [[New Zealand]] the grey teal is a protected species.<ref name="field guide"/> This means that it cannot be hunted for due to low population numbers.

Grey teal [[ducklings]] tend to be at higher risk of predation than adults. Other aviator predators pose a threat as they are known to take ducklings out of nests from approaching above.<ref name="Handbook"/> When in the water [[ducklings]] are at risk from [[eels]], [[rats]] and [[swamp harrier]]s as they have been known to predate when the [[ducklings]] are swimming.<ref name="New Zealand Birds Online"/> Additionally, when adult grey teal are with broods they are at risk to predators such as ferrets and stoats.<ref name="New Zealand Birds Online"/>

A known [[parasite]] affecting [[waterfowl]] is [[Sarcocystis]], also known as rice breast disease that is caused by a parasitic protozoan.<ref name="Field Manual">{{cite book |last1=Cole|first1= R. |last2= Friend|first2= M. |year=1999 |chapter= Parasites and Parasitic Diseases |title=Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases |pages=219–220}}</ref> Although this disease usually is asymptomatic (infected but shows no symptoms) if severe the infection can result in weakness, lameness and loss of muscle tissue.<ref name="Field Manual"/> With these severe effects, this can increase the likelihood of predation on the infected species, thus increasing its chance of death.<ref name="Field Manual"/> No specific cases of [[Sarcocystis]] have been found in grey teal; however, it is known that this parasite targets birds and more specifically [[waterfowl]].

The grey teal is one of three ducks known to host the virus ''[[Dalvirus anatis]]''.<ref name="Wille2018">{{cite journal | vauthors = Wille M, Netter HJ, Littlejohn M, Yuen L, Shi M, Eden JS, Klaassen M, Holmes EC, Hurt AC | title = A Divergent Hepatitis D-Like Agent in Birds | journal = Viruses | volume = 10 | issue = 12 | pages = 720| date = December 2018 | pmid = 30562970 | pmc = 6315422 | doi = 10.3390/v10120720 | doi-access = free }}</ref>

== Relationship with humans ==
=== Game season and conservation status ===
[[File:Wounded Grey teal in Victoria.jpg|thumb|Grey teal shot at [[Lake Burrumbeet]] is given emergency care.]]

The grey teal, ''Anas gracilis'', is fully protected in [[New Zealand]]. The population was estimated at 20,000 birds in 1976 and has increased to 50,000 in 2005.<ref name="New Zealand Birds Online"/> In 2014 there were about 120,000 grey teal in New Zealand and over 1 million in the world.<ref name="New Zealand Birds Online"/><ref name="fishandgame">{{cite report|last1=Dyer |first1= J. |year=2014|title= Grey teal – reviving a spectacular success story stopped dead in its tracks |url= https://fishandgame.org.nz/assets/Uploads/Grey-teal-reviving-a-spectacular-success-story-stopped-dead-in-its-tracks.pdf|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170518003634/https://fishandgame.org.nz/assets/Uploads/Grey-teal-reviving-a-spectacular-success-story-stopped-dead-in-its-tracks.pdf |archive-date= 18 May 2017 }}</ref> Considering that now the grey teal is a common bird in the island, the government considered adding the duck to the game bird list when the Wildlife Act was reviewed in 2010. However it did not occur and the bird kept its [[conservation status]].<ref name="New Zealand Birds Online"/><ref name="fishandgame"/> According to John Dyer, northern Wildlife Manager, Auckland Waikato Fish and Game Council, this decision caused some troubles between the Department of Conservation and the hunters that felt "misled for decades". Indeed, along with the conservation status come penalties if one kills the bird. Yet, it is difficult for hunters not to shoot grey teal as it is numerous and often be seen flying among huge flocks of game ducks.<ref name="fishandgame"/> At least 6% of the grey teal population is shot during the hunting season.<ref name="New Zealand Birds Online"/>

On the contrary, in Australia the grey teal is one of the most common birds shot during the hunting season.<ref name="fishandgame"/><ref name="New Zealand Birds Online"/> For instance, in 2014, in the state of Victoria the hunting season lasted 3 months – while it only lasts 5 weeks in New Zealand – and hunters could shoot up to 10 grey teal daily.<ref name="fishandgame"/> A survey conducted in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]] on hunting grey teal revealed a significant number of injured birds. Some of these birds survive, while others suffer before eventually dying. Approximately 26% of the shot grey teal are either wounded or [[Mutilation|mutilated]]. Of these, 12% will be wounded and survive, whereas between 14% and 33% will be mutilated.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Norman |first1=Fi |last2=Powell |first2=Dgm |date=1981 |title=Rates of Recovery of Bands, Harvest Patterns and Estimates for Black Duck, Chestnut Teal, Grey Teal and Mountain Duck Shot during Victorian Open Seasons, 1953-1977 |url=http://www.publish.csiro.au/?paper=WR9810659 |journal=Wildlife Research |language=en |volume=8 |issue=3 |pages=659 |doi=10.1071/WR9810659 |issn=1035-3712|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

* {{Cite book|last1=Madge|first1=Steve|last2=Burn|first2=Hilary|title=Waterfowl: An Identification Guide to the Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World|publisher=Houghton Mifflin|year=1988|location=Boston|isbn=0-395-46727-6|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/waterfowl00stev}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Anas gracilis}}
{{Wikispecies|Anas gracilis}}

* [https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/grey-teal-anas-gracilis BirdLife Species Factsheet]
* [https://www.gbif.org/species/2498095 Distribution and occurrences]

{{Taxonbar|from=Q783125}}

[[Category:Anas|grey teal]]
[[Category:Birds of Oceania]]
[[Category:Birds described in 1869|grey teal]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Walter Buller|grey teal]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]