GREEN-WINGED TEAL
Anas crecca
The name "teal" possibly originated from the medieval English word tele,
or the old Dutch word teling, both of which translate
to small and referred to the diminutive Green-winged Teal.
Some authorities suggest the name was derived from the distinctive
"tutting" uttered by males in winter flocks.
Drakes are renowned for their penetrating, liquid high-pitched staccato,
musical whistles, and the specific name is a Latinized onomatopoetic term
imitating the creak note.
Contemporary "experts" have changed the descriptive vernacular name to Common Teal,
probably because the little ducks are known simply as the Teal in Europe.
This strictly arbitrary name change is ill-advised because historical precedent
has been tossed out of the window--to me,
Green-winged Teal will always be Green-winged Teal.
Tiny, compact ducks, females may weigh a mere 6.6 ounces,
making them the smallest of North American dabblers.
Named for the brilliant, iridescent, green speculums of both sexes,
the rich dark-chestnut head of the resplendent drakes is embellished by broad,
iridescent bottle-green bands behind the eyes that are bordered with yellow.
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 Drake Eurasian Green-winged Teal in winter flocks react to aerial predators
by whistling loudly.
If ashore, the teal may fly to water, where they regroup and swim in tight packs,
or fly over the surface
in close formation in roughly circular courses
until the predators suspend hunting.
 Female Green-winged Teal normally select sites near water,
though nests can be a half-mile or more
away. While primarily lowland breeders,
some southern Palearctic pairs nest higher than 6,500 feet.
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