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Green-winged Teal
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| Green-winged Teal, male
© G.
C. Kelley Courtesy of eNature |
Species
description provided by eNature
Description
12-16" (30-41 cm). A small dark duck. Male has chestnut head,
green ear patch, flashing green speculum, pale gray sides, and pinkish
breast with a vertical white stripe down the side. Female is dark
brown without distinctive markings. "Common Teal," race
in Old World, has horizontal white stripe above flanks and no vertical
white stripes on sides.
Voice
Clear repeated whistle. Females quack.
Habitat
Marshes, ponds, and marshy lakes.
Nesting
10-12 whitish or pale buff eggs in a down-lined cup in tall grass,
often several hundred yards from water.
Range
Breeds in northern Alaska, Manitoba, and Quebec south to California,
Colorado, Nebraska, and New York. Winters in southern states and
along coasts. Also in Eurasia.
Discussion
Until recently, the North American and Eurasian forms were considered
distinct species. Each year a few males, and doubtless females,
of the Eurasian form turn up in North America, giving rise to speculation
that somewhere in North America a few of these so-called "Common
Teal" may be breeding. A hardy species, they are among the
last ducks to reach their winter habitat in fall and the first to
depart in spring. Flocks of green-winged teal fly swiftly, executing
sharp turns in unison like flocks of shorebirds. When the flock
settles on water, the birds often separate into small groups consisting
of one female courted by several males. Eventually the female chooses
a mate and the chosen male wards off other suitors. In spring the
pair returns to the previous breeding place of the female, not that
of the male.
