An old report of "the same flightless duck" on North East Island, The Snares group[4] most likely refers to a straggler.

The plumage is all over brown with a hint of green on the neck and a conspicuous white eyering.

The wings are very small and the species has, like the related Campbell teal, lost the power of flight.

[5] The Auckland teal is mostly crepuscular to nocturnal, preferring to hide from predators (New Zealand falcons and skuas) during the day.

The species inhabits a variety of habitats with the islands, including tussock fields, mega herb shrubland and coastal waters.