The green-winged teal holds the distinction of being the smallest North American dabbling duck. Often weighing less than a pound, the hen greenwing is overall a drab, unassuming, mottled brown.

“Four million teal is still a lot, like a whole lot. And they make babies. You can theoretically ... year’s hunting season is ...

Blue-winged teal, hens as well as — shown here — drakes, will be legal fare along with cinnamon teal and green-winged teal during a new five-day September season this fall in Minnesota.