Above: Male Green-winged Teal in breeding plumage; by Peter Taylor.
How do I recognize it?
The Green-winged Teal is the world’s smallest dabbling (surface-feeding) duck. In breeding plumage, the male has a chestnut head with a broad, iridescent green band from eye to neck, a grey back, speckled breast, and finely vermiculated flank markings. North American birds have a bold, vertical white stripe on the side of the breast, whereas the Eurasian subspecies has an elongated, horizontal stripe. Females resemble miniature Mallard but with more compact proportions. Both sexes have an iridescent green speculum on the secondary flight feathers, hence the species’ name; this feature may be conspicuous or invisible, depending on how the wings are folded and tucked into the body feathers. Juveniles and males in summer “eclipse” plumage resemble females.
Above: Female Green-winged Teal showing off her colourful speculum; by Peter Taylor.
Does it migrate?
Like nearly all Manitoba waterfowl, Green-winged Teal spend the winter in milder, coastal or southerly climes. They are normally present here from April to October.
Above: A lingering male Green-winged Teal in transition to breeding plumage, Gull Lake, 26 October 2020; by Peter Taylor.
Where does it live?
Green-winged Teal are adaptable birds, breeding in varying numbers across Canada, including all of Manitoba from prairie sloughs through the boreal forest to the Hudson Bay lowlands. The nest may be some distance from water, well hidden in dense vegetation.
Above: Male and female of the Eurasian population, Camargue, France, 14 February 2005; by Peter Taylor.
Where can I see it?
In early spring, look for Green-winged Teal and other dabbling ducks among migrating flocks of Mallard and Northern Pintail that pause at temporary sheet-water as well as more permanent wetlands such as Oak Hammock Marsh, Whitewater Lake, and the Shoal Lakes. Green-wings can also often be seen in prairie potholes, roadside drainage ditches, and other small wet spots. In early fall, they often mingle with Blue-winged Teal to feast on floating duckweed (Lemna), but the latter species tends to depart much earlier.
Above: Female Green-winged Teal scurries about, skimming food on a wet mudflat; by Peter Taylor.
Conservation Status.
Numbers seem to remain quite high and stable—about three million in North America—giving no special conservation concerns.
Above: A Green-winged Teal pair springing into action; by Peter Taylor.
Did you know?
The collective noun for teal is a “spring” because of the lively way they leap into the air on take-off.
Written by Peter Taylor