Family: Anatidae, Ducks and Geese view all from this family

Description 12-16" (30-41 cm). A small dark duck. Male has chestnut head, green ear patch, flashing green speculum, pale gray sides, and pinkish breast with a vertical white stripe down the side. Female is dark brown without distinctive markings. "Common Teal," race in Old World, has horizontal white stripe above flanks and no vertical white stripes on sides.

Habitat Marshes, ponds, and marshy lakes.

Nesting 10-12 whitish or pale buff eggs in a down-lined cup in tall grass, often several hundred yards from water.

Range Breeds in northern Alaska, Manitoba, and Quebec south to California, Colorado, Nebraska, and New York. Winters in southern states and along coasts. Also in Eurasia.

Voice   Clear repeated whistle. Females quack.

Discussion Until recently, the North American and Eurasian forms were considered distinct species. Each year a few males-and doubtless females-of the Eurasian form turn up in North America, giving rise to speculation that somewhere in North America a few of these so-called "Common Teal" may be breeding. A hardy species, they are among the last ducks to reach their winter habitat in fall and the first to depart in spring. Flocks of Green-winged Teal fly swiftly, executing sharp turns in unison like flocks of shorebirds. When the flock settles on water, the birds often separate into small groups consisting of one female courted by several males. Eventually the female chooses a mate and the chosen male wards off other suitors. In spring the pair returns to the previous breeding place of the female, not that of the male.