Family: Anatidae, Ducks and Geese view all from this family
Description 14-17" (36-43 cm). Male bright rufous with pale blue shoulder patches. Female mottled sandy brown, dusky, with pale blue shoulder patches; face plainer than female Blue-wing's, but the two are often not distinguishable in the field.
Habitat Marshes, ponds, and streams bordered with reeds.
Nesting 9-12 pale buff or whitish eggs in a down-lined nest of grass concealed in vegetation, usually near water.
Range Breeds in western North America from southern British Columbia and Montana south to Texas. Winters in southern part of breeding range south to tropical America. Rare in East, usually found in flocks of Blue-winged Teal. Also in South America.
Voice A soft quack; various chattering and clucking notes.
Discussion A western relative of the more widespread Blue-winged Teal, this is a sociable species that travels in small, fast flocks. Males of the two species look very different, but their close relationship is revealed by the females, which are very similar and distinguishable only at close range and in good light.
