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Blue-winged Teal

Spatula discors

Least Concern (IUCN Red List)Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl
Blue-winged Teal, photographed by Ant Armada

Photo: Ant Armada · Pexels · Pexels License (licence)

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Call and song

About the Blue-winged Teal

Small duck with chalky-blue patches on the upperwing (visible in flight). Breeding males unmistakable with bold white crescent in front of eye and polka-dotted sides. Females are cold brown overall and intricately patterned. Look for a hint of a pale crescent on the face, as well as a dark eyeline and pale eye-arcs. Usually found in shallow wetlands or marshes, where it can occur in pairs or flocks, sometimes mixed with other species of ducks. Compare with other teal species: female Cinnamon Teal is warmer-toned overall and has a duller face pattern, while female Green-winged Teal is more compact, darker, and has a different wing pattern in flight.

Species account: eBird.org, fetched 2025-12-26 · How these pages are made

Where it has been recorded

Recorded in 82 of the 253 countries we have eBird lists for. Each opens that country's checklist.

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