Native to southern Europe, north Africa and the Middle-East, they are common in aviaries, howver, the wild population is dwindling. The sexes are similar, with hens having yellowish patch at the base of the bill.
Males seem to have a larger head than hens, due to a crest that is used when courting hens.
Both sexes lack the metallic wing speculum seen in other teal. There is some confusion as to the genus of this species, and since I am confused myself, I have listed the teal under both genera. Some orinthologists believe that Marbled Teal are closer to diving ducks than to dabblers, and others feel the opposite. Breeding Marbled Teal are east to breed in captivity. The breeding season begins in May with hens laying about 7 to 14 eggs per clutch that hatch in about 25 days.