Are green-winged teal rare?
Our smallest dabbling duck. Very common and widespread, remaining through the winter farther north than other teal.
What is the difference between a teal and a green-winged teal?
The most conspicuous difference in males is the presence of a horizontal white stripe along the lower scapulars on Common Teal (absent on Green-winged) and the presence of a vertical white bar on the side of the breast of Green-winged (absent on Common).
Does Green Wing dive with teal?
The green-winged teal is the smallest dabbling duck native to America. These ducks travel in a tight “V” formation at high speeds. Teals are good swimmers and divers; however, the only time they really dive is to escape predators. These ducks are very active on foot, walking and running for long distances.
Is blue-winged teal good eating?
The incredible, edible teal. These zippy little birds are known the world over for their delicate fat, petite size, and mild flavor. Whether served whole, roasted with accompaniments, or doled-out as perfectly-portioned poppers, few would argue against their edibility.
How do you identify a green wing teal?
Adult males have grayish bodies with a narrow white vertical stripe extending from the waterline to the shoulder. In good light, their dark heads are cinnamon with a wide green swoop from the eye to the back of the neck. Females are brown with a yellowish streak along the tail.
How do you identify a blue winged teal?
Breeding males are brown-bodied with dark speckling on the breast, slaty-blue head with a white crescent behind the bill, and a small white flank patch in front of their black rear. Females and eclipse males are a cold, patterned brown. In flight, they reveal a bold powder-blue patch on their upperwing coverts.
How can you tell a duck from a teal?
The Four Keys to ID A small dabbling duck, a Blue-winged Teal is dwarfed by a Mallard and only a touch larger than a Green-winged Teal. Head is rounded and bill is on the large side.
What does a female blue-winged teal look like?
Where do blue-winged teals live?
Pairs and small groups of this tiny dabbling duck inhabit shallow ponds and wetlands across much of North America. Blue-winged Teal are long distance migrants, with some birds heading all the way to South America for the winter.