Blue-winged Teal -- Anas discors -- South Dakota Birds
| Blue-winged Teal | Length: 15 inches | Wingspan: 27 inches | Seasonality: Summer |
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Identification Keys MALES: White crescent on face, white patch on flank, blue wing patch seen in flight Identification Keys FEMALES: dark eye-line, white eye arcs, white at bill base and throat, large size pattern on body |
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Blue-wigned Teals are definitely warm-season ducks, usually avoiding cold weather more than most other ducks. Large numbers may fly non-stop over open ocean to wintering grounds in South America.
Habitat: Shallow freshwater ponds and marshes, flooded ditches.
Diet: Mostly plant material, including aquatic plants, seeds, and waste grain. Also eats crustaceans and insects.
Behavior: Forages in very shallow water, swimming with head submerged or picking items off the surface of the water. They are often found in small flocks along the water's edge.
Nesting: Late April through July
Breeding Map: Breeding bird survey map
Song: Quack from females, louder chyerk from male.
Migrations: Winters along southern U.S. coasts and down through Mexico, Central America, and South America.
Similar Species: Male rather distinctive with face markings, female similar to many duck species, especially to the Cinnamon Teal.
Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Blue-winged Teal
2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Blue-winged Teal"
3) eNature.com: Blue-winged Teal
Photo Information: March 30th, 2003 -- Minnehaha County near Sioux Falls -- Terry L. Sohl
Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Blue-winged Teal photos.
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| South Dakota Status: Common migrant and summer resident statewide. Rare in winter. |
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Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl
This page was last edited on 02/03/08
