The smallest of our ducks (35 cm, 200–400 g). Due to its size, it can be confused with the Garganey, but the teal appears darker on top, with a prominent white mark on the wing that separates the green speculum from the front. Wing feather shafts are dark on top (unlike the Garganey). The bill is dark with yellow edges.
Hunted throughout the season, most often in August–September. Males in breeding plumage appear only at the very end of the season.
Age is determined by the tail at the beginning of the season.
A good feature for sexing is the presence of spots on the bill – if the bill has spots, it is a female. Unfortunately, the spots are not always present, so other characteristics must also be checked if they are absent.
Updated: 13.01.2026