Which one of these teal is not like the other?

[jode hillman]

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.

 

[Al Hansen]

What a surprise when you picked him up.
Al

 

[J. Overland]

What a beautiful bird and a nice surprise for you. That bird would take a ride to the taxidermist with me.

 

[Vince Pagliaroli]

What a beautiful bird and a nice surprise for you. That bird would take a ride to the taxidermist with me.

Oh ya, and the taxidermist would be Tim Schloss, Eire, PA.

 

[Dani]

Dang Jode! That is awesome!!!!!

 

[benp]

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.

 

[jode hillman]

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 hillman]

What a surprise when you picked him up.
Al

You can say that again!

 

[jode hillman]

What a beautiful bird and a nice surprise for you. That bird would take a ride to the taxidermist with me.

Thanks, that is the plan!

 

[jode hillman]

Dang Jode! That is awesome!!!!!

Thanks Dani

 

[Joseph Sarno]

nice bird congrats!

 

[Steve Sanford]

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

 

[jode hillman]

nice bird congrats!

Thanks Joe.


Very cool Steve, yes that Sibley site is the one I used to positively nail down my ID.

 

[Derek Bendell]

Very cool Jode!

 

[jode hillman]

Very cool Jode!

Thanks Derek, I thought it was a cool way to wrap up the season.

 

[Jim Donofrio]

awesome Jode makes up for the horrible teal season