Green-winged Teal

Green-winged Teal is among the smallest duck we regularly see in Sonoma County (only the Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) is of comparable size). A fairly common presence on estuaries, freshwater and saltwater marshes, and ponds during the winter months, but rarely in large numbers. Prefers very shallow water with vegetation, including flooded fields and seasonal pools. Green-winged Teals start arriving in the area in early to mid-September. Most are gone by early May. Generally not present in June, July, or August. Likely places to find this bird in Sonoma County include Shollenberger Park, Ellis Creek Water Recycling Plant, and Hudeman Slough. Usually in pairs or small flocks. Often associates with other dabbling ducks such as Cinnamon Teal (Anas cyanoptera) and Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata). The birds we normally see are the subspecies A. crecca carolinensis.

Notably small, at about 14 inches (35.6cm) head to toe, or about half the size of a Northern Pintail (Anas acuta). Males are hard to mistake for anything else. Look for the rufous face marked with a broad slash of rich green around and behind the eye. Fine white line under the green area, often most obvious under the dark eye. Bill black. Looks mostly plain grey above, but at close quarters the fine patterning on the flanks should be apparent and the breast is a pale, creamy color with dark speckling. Note the vertical white stripe near the front of the bird (lacking in the Eurasian subspecies A. crecca crecca, most birds in North America are A. crecca carolinensis the bird pictured here). A black lateral stripe may or may not be visible, depending on how the wings are tucked. Black at the rear but with a prominent creamy white patch above the black. Females are more challenging, but the green in the wing may show (photo below), revealing the bird’s identity. Distinguished from other female teals by its smaller size and by its grey bill, which is thinner as well. Variable dark eyeline. Note the pale area below the tail in female Green-winged Teal, contrasting with the darker, heavily scalloped back and flanks. Lacks the extensive pale area at the base of the bill and chin of female Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors). In flight, look for a green and black speculum bordered by cream in front, white in back. Pale to white in center of underwing. Fast, nimbly turning flight in tight flocks may suggest a shorebird.

Trivia: 1. According to Ehrlich, Dobkin, and Wheye, fastest growing chicks of any North American duck.

2. Despite the name “teal,” not as closely related to Cinnamon Teal and Blue-winged Teal as the latter two are to each other.

The challenges of female duck identification (includes a quiz)