The European green-winged
teal is the smallest duck on the wildfowler's list but the male
in full breeding plumage makes up for his small size by his
striking good looks. The glossy chestnut head has an iridescent
curving green stripe, with narrow cream edging, running from
the eye to the back of the neck. The striated body plumage is
well known to anglers who dress their own flies and there is
a white horizontal stripe above the wing. The prominent green
speculum is present in both sexes. The female, juvenile and
male in eclipse plumage are very similar with their mottled
browns and paler belly. The legs and bill of both sexes are
dark grey, tinged with brown. The teal has a very rapid flight
with small flocks frequently rising and dipping in unison. The
male has a "prip-prip" call whereas the female "quacks"
at a slightly higher pitch than a mallard.
I
am grateful to Eric Begbie who allowed us to use this information
which is reprinted from 'Fowler in the Wild'.
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