Eurasian Teal (Green-winged Teal)

The Eurasian Teal is the smallest dabbling duck in Europe and a close relative of the North American Green-winged Teal. Males boast a striking chestnut head with a glossy green eye-patch, a barred grayish body, and a distinct vertical white stripe on the shoulder. This particular feather exhibits the delicate, fine gray-and-black vermiculation pattern typical of the adult male's side plumage.

Pale gray base with fine, intricate black vermiculations (wavy lines) characteristic of male teal plumage, coupled with a clean white margin on the edge

Pennaceous at the distal tip and along the upper margins with tightly interlocked barbs, transitioning to plumulaceous (fluffy) at the base with a prominent downy section

Slender, flexible yellowish-white central rachis tapering smoothly toward the tip, with dense, uniform barbs angled distally

Smooth and firm at the pennaceous tip, transitioning to soft and downy at the base; possesses a water-repellent surface typical of waterfowl

Flank or side pocket feather, typical of the delicate vermiculated gray side feathers found on male dabbling ducks

Delicate fine black and white/gray vermiculations, small size, rounded shape, and soft downy base typical of a small duck's flank or scapular contour feather

Shallow wetlands, marshes, flooded agricultural fields, ponds, and slow-moving rivers with abundant emergent vegetation

Widespread across the Northern Hemisphere, breeding in northern latitudes and wintering further south across Europe, Asia, and North America

Serves as an important seed disperser for aquatic plants, an integral part of wetland food webs as both consumer and prey, and acts as an ecological indicator of wetland health

Other small dabbling duck species such as the Mallard or Garganey, though the precise scale and fine vermiculation pattern help distinguish Eurasian Teal

Teal are exceptionally fast and agile flyers, capable of taking off vertically straight out of the water like smaller passerines rather than running along the surface

Historically hunted for food and sport; feathers from waterfowl have traditionally been used in fly-tying for fishing lures and occasional decorative purposes

Look near wetlands, shorelines, or resting areas frequented by dabbling ducks during migration and winter seasons

Good condition, clean vane with intact barbs and a minor amount of natural wear at the very edge

Tealby