Teal

Teal is the smallest of the common wild ducks, the Eurasian or common teal Anas crecca (and its close North American counterpart the green-winged teal), a fast, dabbling game bird whose dark, close-grained flesh carries a deep, rich, faintly livery gaminess. Prized on the autumn-and-winter game table, the little bird is classically roasted whole and fast at high heat, kept rare and pink, so its lean but intensely flavoured meat is not dried out.