Which one of these teal is not like the other?

jode hillman

Well-known member
This duck season has been fair to average. The large contingent of Greenwing teal that we normally winter throughout January departed our shores during the deep freeze of Christmas.

Since then it has been slow picking at black ducks and Gadwall. I headed out yesterday in hopes of just giving Bree the pup an afternoon in the marsh. I was not expecting much. I set up in a familiar place that was sheltered From the high winds. I knew I would only have a small window to hunt as these same winds would blow the tide out early.

Very few ducks were seen. However after an hour I had a small group of Teal head right for the Decoys. I managed to kill a couple.

Once the dog brought them back immediately noticed one was different.

A Eurasian Greenwing Teal! Who knows how he ended up in New Jersey. And sad for him it was in front of my barrel. But I thought it was neat I was very excited. I thought you guys and gals would enjoy it.

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I first thought an Aleutian teal.
What is the difference between Aleutian and Eurasian? Other than location where they live

That's a great surprise and prize to pick up.
 
benp said:
I first thought an Aleutian teal.
What is the difference between Aleutian and Eurasian? Other than location where they live

That's a great surprise and prize to pick up.

Hi Ben, thanks! They are the same subspecies, the only difference I am aware of is the Aleutian is slightly larger in size.
 
Jode~


Thanks to my sister who once lived in the UK and my daughter who lives in Germany, I have seen these "Common Teal" (what we provincials call the Eurasian Teal) over on their home turf.


Sibley gives a nice description of the differences:


https://www.sibleyguides.com/2011/03/distinguishing-green-winged-and-common-teal/


Now you need to put your discerning eye on any odd-looking Wigeons, White-fronts or Scaup. With Covid on the decline, looks like those Europeans are traveling again.....


All the best,


SJS




 
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