The green-winged teal or American teal is a common and widespread duck that breeds in the northern areas of North America except on the Aleutian Islands. It was considered conspecific with the Eurasian teal for some time, but the two have since been split into separate species. The American Ornithological Society continues to debate this determination; however, nearly all other authorities consider it distinct based on behavioral, morphological, and molecular evidence. The scientific name is from Latin Anas, "duck" and carolinensis, "of Carolina".
Region
North America
Typical Environment
Breeds across Alaska, much of Canada, and the northern United States in boreal forest wetlands, tundra ponds, and prairie potholes. Winters widely across the southern United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and into Central America, frequenting coastal marshes, estuaries, and flooded fields. Uses shallow freshwater and brackish wetlands with abundant emergent vegetation for cover and feeding. Frequently seen on mudflats, beaver ponds, and agricultural wetlands such as rice fields.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
One of North America’s smallest dabbling ducks, the green-winged teal is noted for its quick, agile flight and conspicuous green wing patch. Males show a cinnamon head with a bold green eye-stripe in breeding season, while females are finely mottled for camouflage. It was long treated as conspecific with the Eurasian teal but is now widely recognized as a distinct species. Its whistled calls often reveal flocks long before they are seen.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats and agile, fast flier
Social Behavior
Forms large, cohesive flocks outside the breeding season, often mixing with other small dabbling ducks. Pairs form in late winter and early spring; the female builds a grass-lined ground nest concealed in vegetation near water. Clutch size is typically moderate, and the female alone incubates while the male departs early in the season.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Males give a clear, high-pitched whistled peep or bree note, especially during courtship and in flight. Females produce soft, rasping quacks and chatters. Flock contact calls carry well over open water and marshes.
Plumage
Male in breeding plumage has a cinnamon head with a glossy green ear patch, grey body, and a vertical white bar on the side of the breast; both sexes show an iridescent green speculum. Female is mottled brown with fine streaking and a subtle dark eye-line, providing excellent camouflage.
Diet
Feeds mainly by dabbling and tipping up in shallow water, taking seeds of sedges, grasses, and aquatic plants. Supplements plant matter with aquatic invertebrates such as insect larvae, small crustaceans, and mollusks, especially in spring for protein. Will also glean along muddy margins and filter fine food items from the surface.
Preferred Environment
Shallow marshes, pond edges, flooded fields, and estuarine flats with abundant emergent vegetation. Often forages in small groups along sheltered shorelines and quiet backwaters.
