teals

Teals can refer to two related but distinct things: a color and a group of small dabbling ducks. The color teal is a blue‑green hue named after the common teal, a small duck whose iridescent head and dark greenish-blue shoulder patches helped popularize the term in English in the early 20th century. In ornithology, teals designate several small dabbling ducks within the tribe Anatini, commonly called true teals.

As birds, teals are compact, medium-small ducks found in wetlands across the northern hemisphere, with several species differing in range and plumage. Notable examples include the green-winged teal (Anas crecca), the blue-winged teal (Spatula discors), and the cinnamon teal (Spatula cyanoptera). Males typically display more striking colors and patterns, while females are subdued, aiding camouflage during nesting. Teals forage mainly by dabbling at the surface or tipping up to reach vegetation and aquatic invertebrates, feeding on seeds, grasses, and small aquatic organisms. They nest on the ground near water, laying a clutch of eggs that the female incubates alone. After hatching, ducklings are led to water and cared for by the female.

Migration patterns vary by species; many teals are migratory, moving to warmer regions outside the breeding season. Globally, populations are affected by habitat availability, wetland conservation, and climate conditions, but several teal species remain common and widely distributed in suitable habitats.

The color teal, being a blend of blue and green, is widely used in design and fashion to convey a balanced, calm, and versatile appearance.