The blue-winged teal is around 40 cm in length. Blue-winged teals migrate south earlier than most species, as they’re very sensitive to cold weather. Swans, geese, and ducks are large birds with long necks (longest in swans, shortest in ducks) and short tails. Fun Facts: The Blue-winged Teal is the second only to the Mallard as the most abundant duck in North America. Blue-winged Teal breed only in North America, and some individuals migrate 4,000 miles from breeding to wintering grounds. It mainly feeds on plants. var sc_invisible=0; The best bird guide and bird watching search engine to identify The wings have a green speculum and a pale blue shoulder patch visible in flight. The upperparts are scaled buff and dark brown; underparts are pale brown with many dark spots. birds! The blue-winged teal is the most common duck in North Dakota. They are more vocal than most of the other ducks. The Cinnamon Teal heritage is fairly obvious; Blue-winged Teal given away by the colour in the head and the spots on the sides of the breast. He had been … Blue-winged Teal: This small dabbling duck has a purple-gray head and a distinct white crescent on the face. Most nests are located high in the treetops. High-pitched whistled "tsee" calls from two males, lower call from a female. Blue-winged Teal are long distance migrants, with some birds heading all the way to South America for the winter. The Pacific Flyway is a major north-south route of travel for migratory birds in the Americas, extending from Alaska to Patagonia. The upper wing is dull blue as compared to the male counterparts. There was an effort to increase the number of breeding Blue-winged Teal in Tennessee in the 1970’s. Within the divisions of true duck species, the teal belong in the dabbling duck group. In the United States, the highest number of blue-winged teals are seen in Texas and Florida. Blue-winged Teals have the highest annual mortality rate (reaching 65%) of all the dabbling ducks; possibly as a result of hunting and long over-ocean migration. Among North America’s duck species, northern shovelers trail only mallards and blue-winged teal in overall abundance. In order to attract a female, male Cinnamon teal perform various courtship rituals. They often fall prey to red foxes and raptors. Females have a high-pitched quack specially during the breeding season to communicate with their mates and young ones. Moreover, the US Department of Agriculture's Conservation Reserve Program has also converted 1.8 million acres of land into a breeding habitat because of which these ducks can now be seen in abundance. The oldest known Green-winged Teal in the wild was 20 years, 3 months old. Certain sub-species of blue-winged leafbirds are territorial and aggressive toward intruders. "https://ssl." Blue-winged teal ducks are the most charming creatures in the world. The adult male has a grayish blue head with a white facial crescent, a light brown body with a white patch near the rear and a black tail. In flight, the Blue-winged Teal is swift, reaching speeds of … From an all-time low of 722,000 birds in 1962, green-winged teal populations have grown steadily since. 3. The adult female is mottled brown in color. Often male will make these displays while oriented to the side of the female he is courting. Blue-winged Teal: This small dabbling duck has a purple-grey head and a distinct white crescent on the face. The Blue-winged Teal is among the latest ducks to migrate northward in spring, and one of the first to migrate southward in fall. The female Blue-winged Teal is more grayish-brown with a dark belly, has white near the base of the bill, and has a large blue wing-patch, ... Fun Facts: On its wintering grounds this species often congregates in large flocks and will move from region to region to find open water. The sexes look similar. The ducklings then soon leave their nests after hatching within 12 - 24 hours and can walk up to the wetlands. Blue-winged teals usually inhabit shallow water bodies like ponds, lakes, and marshy areas during the summer season. The sexes look similar. The adult male has a grayish blue head with a white facial crescent, a light brown body with a white patch near the rear and a black tail. ", followed by 113 people on Pinterest. One individual banded in Alberta was shot in Venezuela a month later. Female keeps the eggs warm while male provides her … "); Flight is fast and direct with steady wing beats. Greater Flamingo. The wings have a green speculum and a pale blue shoulder patch visible in flight. It breeds in marshes and other wetlands in much of Canada (except for tundra habitats), parts of Alaska, and much of the northern and western United States. It mainly feeds on plants. On the shore, grazers such as geese and the American Widgeon forage on grass. Flightless Birds + Ostrich. In winters, they tend to feed on millets, water lilies, corn, and rice. They usually feed on insects and other aquatic plants that are found on the surface of water. Forest Birds + Common Pauraque. The brightly colored area on the wing (secondaries of the wing) on several duck species. These birds feed by dabbling in shallow water at the edge of marshes or open water. The adult male has a greyish blue head with a white facial crescent, a light brown body with a white patch near the rear and a black tail. Female Blue-winged Teal give a high-pitched 'quack," while males give a high whistle. At such sites, scoters, Canvasbacks, and other diving ducks dive for mussels in the deep sections while dabblers such as Gadwall and Northern Shovelers forage on the surface and in the shallows. They also eat invertebrates such as mollusks, midge larvae, and crustaceans in shallow wetlands. However, it can be a bit difficult to differentiate between the cinnamon teal and blue-winged teal because they both look identical during fall. Home. However, when spring starts approaching, both acquire different breeding feathers. They are one of the smallest dabbling ducks, which are mostly found in North America. The white plumage of Snow Geese and Tundra Swans sometimes takes on a dirty, rusty-brown appearance. Blue-winged leafbirds use branches and leaves to build cup-shaped nest in the trees. Fun Facts. Winter habitats are mostly swamps and shallow wetlands. document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); Population. Teal, any of about 15 small ducks of the genus Anas (family Anatidae), found on the six major continents and many islands. Incubation period lasts 14 days. Therefore, they take off early on spring and fall migration, leaving their breeding grounds in the United States and Canada well before other species in the fall. A highly migratory family, most species migrate to open, ice-free water in sheltered bays and marshes of the southern United States with some reaching Mexico and Central America. Their populations have been healthy since the 1960s, and have soared in recent years to more than 4 million birds (2011), most likely because of favorable breeding, migration, and wintering habitat conditions Jun 16, 2013 - Blue-winged Teal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia A nice pair of Blue Winged Teal feeding and preening while wintering in typical Florida habitat. TVA and TWRA released farm-reared young teal in ponds surrounded … Regarding the well-known description of the sound made by a duck as a "quack," duck species in North America also variously whistle, squeak, click, and grunt. Let's find out some facts about these dabblers. They are often seen flocking in large numbers over long distances as far as Brazil and Argentina in South America during winters. Here, they can be found in mangrove swamps, lagoons, and shallow wetlands. var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-129491-1"); The blue-winged teal duck is a small, brown dabbling duck. Feb 3, 2014 - Blue-winged Teal Facts, Figures, Description and Photo This species gets its name from the prominent and striking blue patch on its upper wing, which is visible during flight. pageTracker._trackPageview(); Belly, undertail coverts, chest, flanks, and foreneck. They feed mostly on vegetation but will also take insects or mollusks for a snack. Green-winged Teal, more than any other species of duck, prefer to seek food on mud flats. The blue-winged teal was the second most populous duck in the United States in 2005. The female builds the nest that is made of dried grass just before laying the first egg. Populations of two Alaskan diving ducks, the Steller's and Spectacled Eiders, are threatened for reasons unknown; possible causes include changes in their habitats, nest predation by ravens and gulls, hunting, and the on-going effects of lead poisoning. Blue-winged teal. Add to cart Buy now. They migrate to southern parts of the United States like Carolina, Texas, and Southern California and go as far as Southern America when winter starts approaching. 7 Interesting Facts About The Blue – Winged Teal. Blue-winged Teal feed by dabbling—dipping their bill into the water, submerging their entire head, or tipping up to reach for prey or vegetation deeper underwater. The male has a clear whistle, whereas the female has a feeble “quack”. Here we provide you with detailed information about Blue winged Teal. [CDATA[ DNA analysis of this species has revealed its genetic make up to be almost identical to that of the Cinnamon teal. Blue-winged teals are fast and eccentric flyers. They have webbed feet that make it easier for them to maneuver in water. A group of teal has many collective nouns, including a "coil", "dopping", "knob", "paddling", and "spring" of teal. Their yellow legs are a distinction from other small ducks like Common Teal and Garganey. Fun Facts for Kids. Green-winged Teal are a noisy species. Mottled ducks have a limited breeding range from Florida to the Western Gulf Coast. Souther Oregon Coast. Migratory Birds + Swainson's Hawk. During the spring and summer season, they are usually found in Canada, Alaska, and other regions of North America. They nest on the grounds near wetlands, ponds, ditches, and meadows. The Blue-winged Teal is among the latest ducks to migrate northward in spring, and one of the first to migrate southward in fall. Migrating and Wintering . The short feathers overlying the median secondary coverts on the top of the wing. Like many ducks, Blue-winged Teal have a range of exaggerated motions that they use as displays. Bat. Fun Facts: The Blue-winged Teal is the second only to the Mallard as the most abundant duck in North America. Preferred nesting habitats include wetland areas within grasslands, such as marshes, ponds, and lakes. The males leave the breeding ground before the females as they become flightless for a period of about 3 - 4 weeks, and move to a suitable vegetation. The global population of the Blue-winged Teal is estimated at 6,100,000 individuals, and is large and stable enough to warrant a conservation rating of Least Concern. : "http://www. Blue Winged Teal $ 4.00. They hatch in about 24 days after incubation. Explore {{searchView.params.phrase}} by color family {{familyColorButtonText(colorFamily.name)}} blue-winged teal drake flys - blue winged teal stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images . Cordilleran Flycatcher. They fly in small flocks and can be seen twisting and turning as a single unit. The adult male has a grayish-blue head, a white crescent in front of its eyes, and a light brown body. Males in breeding plumage are more boldly patterned and often have iridescent blue or green on the head. Blue-winged Teal are dabbling ducks, which means that they feed in shallow water by dunking their heads under to search for food, or eating food on the surface of the water, like duckweed. Some birds live in pairs. In deeper waters, the mergansers, scoters, and diving ducks occur. document.write(""); They don't feed out of the water. Green-winged teal feed on seeds of sedges, smartweeds, pondweeds, grasses, aquatic insects, mollusks, crustaceans and tadpoles found while foraging in and adjacent to mudflats or while dabbling in shallow water. Food habits: Surface and shallow water feeders on small aquatic plants and animals in wetlands. The upperparts are scaled buff and dark brown; underparts are pale brown with many dark spots. // The blue-wings usually commence pairing during fall, just before the onset of winter before migrating. There are so many fascinating birds living in Washington State, including some of the rare and wonderful species that aren’t as well-known as other species of birds. Both sexes usually show a spot of color in the wing known as a "speculum". "); Blue-winged teals migrate between winters and the breeding season every year. Fun Facts. Blue-winged teal are a distant second at more than 1.5 million, followed by pintails and wood ducks (1.3 million), black ducks (1 million) and green-winged teal (500,000). The swans, geese and ducks are grouped in the Anatidae (pronounced ah-NAH-tih-dee); a bird family with one hundred sixty-four species in forty-eight genera, various members of which can be found on all continents. scJsHost+ The wings have a green speculum and a pale blue shoulder patch visible in flight. var scJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? Where mud flats are lacking, they prefer shallow marshes or temporarily flooded agricultural lands. Breeding areas include both inland freshwater and coastal marshes. In the Old World the northern shoveler (Anas clypeata) has a similar distance of up to about 11,000 km (6,800 miles).… Blue-winged Teal: This small dabbling duck has a purple-gray head and a distinct white crescent on the face. The Cinnamon teal is considered one of the most beautiful ducks in the Americas. : "http://www. The birds aren't actually dirty but do show rust-colored highlights from foraging in the iron rich environments of the far north. The upper wing is blue-gray in color. Description: The Blue-winged Teal is 40 cm (15.5") long, with a 58 cm (23") wingspan and weighs 180 g (13 oz). Blue-winged Teal sometimes hybridize with Cinnamon Teal. Boldly-patterned Harlequin Ducks swim in the swift rivers and turbulent seashores of the Pacific Northwest and some areas of the northeastern U.S. and Canada. Swans, geese, and ducks occur throughout North America wherever aquatic habitats are found. They are more active than other ducks during the breeding season. Cinnamon teal are very close relatives with Blue-winged teal and often interbreed with them. Flight is fast and direct with steady wing beats. The front part of the head consisting of the bill, eyes, cheeks and chin. Vocalizations. The adult female is mottled brown, and has a whitish area at base of bill. The Blue-winged Teal has a large breeding range of around 5,440,000 square kilometers. After arrival, the female selects a territory at the breeding areas, which is guarded by the drakes. See more ideas about blue winged teal, teal, blue wings. Aug 30, 2018 - Explore Diane Hebert's board "Blue winged teal. Calls from a large flock feeding in shallow water. It winters in a variety of wetland habitats in California and the southern United States south through Mexico and the Caribbean to northern South America. The blue-winged teal is 16 in long, with a wingspan of 23 in. The only time when they will dive in water is when threatened or attacked by a predator. Members of this well known bird family include the graceful, long-necked swans, familiar geese of farm fields and golf courses, and the many species of ducks. They are more vocal than most ducks,their high-pitched peeping and nasal quacking is commonly heard in spring and to a lesser extent in fall. The adult female is mottled brown, and … The blue-winged teal is 40 cm (16 in) long, with a wingspan of 58 cm (23 in), and a weight of 370 g (13 oz). African Pygmy Goose. Blue-winged Teal: Breeds in northern prairies and parklands of central North America and spends winters from Central America and the Caribbean south to Peru and northeastern Brazil. These teals are one of the first duck species to migrate every fall, and the last to do so in spring. The North American Waterfowl Management Plan was introduced in 1986 to conserve waterfowl and migratory birds in North America. All Aves-African Penguin. Below, I delve into the bird world and tell you more about some of the quirky and unique birds that you can find here. Common Cuckoo. While all species are known for their association with aquatic habitats, Canada Geese are also known for their aggressive behavior when guarding their nests and young. The Blue-winged Teal is among the latest ducks to migrate northward in spring, and one of the first to migrate southward in fall. Fun wood duck fact: Unlike most ducks, wood ducks can latch their feet onto tree branches. The adult female is mottled brown, and has a whitish area at base of bill. The fast and erratic flying pattern of the blue-winged teal makes it challenging for waterfowlers to hunt them down. It mainly feeds on plants. They usually dwell on rocks and logs on the water surface. However, it takes about 6 - 8 weeks before they can fly. Similar Species. They favor small lakes and back bays. A Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) flies above shallow marsh waters in northern California's Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge during the fall migration along the Pacific Flyway on November 5, 2009. Blue-winged leafbirds are usually solitary creatures. It lays about 6 - 12 eggs that are whitish in color. The reasons why the Hawaiian Goose, and the Laysan and Hawaiian Ducks are endangered are much better understood; however after nearly going extinct, populations have stabilized but unfortunately don't have much room for growth in the limited amount of available habitat. The oldest recorded Blue-winged Teal was a male, and at least 23 years, 3 months old. They dive rarely. The Anatidae are represented in North America by sixty-nine species in twenty-three genera (including the extinct Labrador Duck). …of the blue-winged teal (Anas discors), which nests up to 60° N in North America and winters beyond 30° S, a distance of over 9,600 km (6,000 miles). The Blue-winged Teal is a gregarious bird, associated in flocks, often with other species of waterfowl. The ANSERIFORMES (pronounced an-ser-ih-FOR-meez), one of the oldest avian orders, is composed of three families and includes the bizarre and noisy screamers of South America, the odd Magpie Goose of Australia, and the globally distributed swans, geese and ducks. They are also called marginal coverts and lesser secondary coverts. Green-winged Teal are the smallest North American dabbling duck. Female lays 2 to 3 pinkish eggs.