Blue-winged Teal - Photos by Bruce Dayton - Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors)

ORDER: Anseriformes
FAMILY: Anatidae (Ducks and Geese - 52 Species)
SUB-FAMILY: Anatinae
SPECIES: Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors)

Blue-winged Teal
The Blue-winged Teals are among the first ducks to migrate each fall, and one of the last in the spring. Their population is decreasing, possibly due to hunting and long over-ocean migration. Skunks are a major cause of unsuccessful nesting in some areas. Blue-winged teal seem to have the highest annual mortality rate of all the dabbling ducks.
SIZE	Small (14-16”) dabbling duck.
DESCRIPTION	The male can be identified by his grayish blue head with a white facial crescent. The female is mottled brown.
NESTING	Clutch size ranges from 8-12 eggs, which are incubated in 20 to 24 days. Blue-winged Teals nest on the ground near water. The nest of the blue-winged teal is hollow lined with vegetation and down.
RANGE	They are fairly common throughout North America from Texas to the Atlantic coast.
HABITAT	Their breeding habitat is marshes, ponds and shallow wetlands with emergent vegetation.
DIET	They feed by dabbling in shallow water for plants, mollusks, insects and other aquatic invertebrates. Most of the Blue-winged Teal's diet is vegetable matter such as grasses and aquatic plant seeds.

INTERESTING FACTS

Molting in Birds

Molting in birds is the process of gradually replacing old feathers with new ones over a period time. Nearly all birds molt at least once a year, usually after the breeding season. A bird must keep enough of its feathers to regulate its body temperature and repel moisture. There are some species of birds that cannot fly during the period when their wings feathers are being replaced. This requires that they have sufficient food and protection for a period of time. Some birds undergo a spring molt, where they change from dull winter color to a bright plumage for display to attract a mate.

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The images on this web page are copyrighted © 2003 - 2007 by Bruce Dayton. I want to share my photos to promote conservation and to help people identify and learn about the birds and other creatures that live with us on the North American continent. Please do not use any of my work in any non-profit or for-profit project without first getting written permission from me. You can ask for permission by emailing me at webmaster@wildlifeofnorthamerica.info. All reproductions must bear an appropriate credit.




Blue-winged Teal

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Seneca County, New York


BwTe_072A_023048	BwTe_072A_023516


BwTe_072A_023052


Male	Female




Blue-winged Teal Drawing by Louis Agassiz Fuertes