Blue-winged Teal ( Anas discors )

Blue-Winged Teal, Birding Center, Port Aransas, Texas

Photograph by Alan And Elaine Wilson. Some rights reserved.

BLUE-WINGED TEAL FACTS

Description
During the breeding season, the male Blue-winged Teal has blue-gray head with large white crescent between eye and bill. The body is cinnamon-brown with fine black markings. The upper wing has a large light blue patch with a white rear border. Outside the breeding season the body is gray brown without white patches, and only a faint outline of the white face crescent. The female is mottled gray brown with blue wing patch. Juveniles are similar to adult females.

Size
36cm - 41cm

Environment
Shallow ponds, seasonal and permanent wetlands

Food
seeds, plants, aquatic invertebrates

Breeding
Nest is a scrape on the ground amongst grass near the water. Nest is lined with grass and down. Lays six to fourteen creamy white eggs.

Range
Breeds throughout most of North America. Winters along southern coasts of the United States, Mexico, Central America, and northern South America.

Classification