The smallest duck in Europe

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Urtönd – Teal – Anas crecca (male)

The Teal (Anas crecca) is the smallest duck in Iceland and in the whole of Europe. It can be found both in highlands and lowlands. A part of the breeding population goes to the British Isles in the autumn but huge flocks stay here the whole winter. The breeding population counts around  3,000-5,000 pairs.

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Urtönd – Teal – Anas crecca

In Ölfusá by Selfoss town there are usually around 30 – 60 birds in the winter time.

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Teal – female laying on eggs
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Urtönd – Teal – Anas crecca

These photoes are taken by Tjörnin (the Pond) in Reykjavík and in Veiðivötn (Fishing Lakes) in the southern interior.