teal

Any of various small, short-necked dabbling ducks of the genus Anas, order Anseriformes, but particularly A. crecca. The male is dusky grey; its tail feathers ashy grey; the crown of its head deep cinnamon or chestnut; its eye is surrounded by a black band, glossed with green or purple, which unites on the nape; its wing markings are black and white; and its bill is black. The female is mottled brown. The total length is about 35cm/14 in.

The blue-winged teal A. discors is a brillantly coloured bird 35–42 cm/14–17 in long, with bright blue wing coverts. It is a native of North America, and migrates in winter to South America.