Pam Jones photographed a Eurasian Teal on Cocos on Tuesday 21 August 2012. This
has sparked a debate as to whether there has been one, two or three birds in
Australia, all on West Island, Cocos. The first was found in December 2010 and
was known to still be there in February 2011. Another or the same was found at
the same site in late 2011 and stayed till March or even April 2012. A Teal
considered by the observers to be a Grey or perhaps Sunda Teal was seen this
winter but the Tuesdays bird is definitely a Eurasian Teal. There is no
permanent open fresh water on Cocos so is this a different bird or is it
surviving in the very saline lagoon? The species can tolerate sheltered salt
water. The first two were females and this one is in similar plumage but given
the date, it has been suggested may be an eclipse plumaged male. I thought I'd
share this with you. Another debate is whether this constitutes one, two or
three records!
Mike Carter
30 Canadian Bay Road
Mount Eliza VIC 3930
Tel (03) 9787 7136
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