Green-winged Teal--Anas crecca

Green-winged Teal at Upper Newport Bay

Like the American Wigeon, the Green-winged Teal has a green stripe through its eye. It is the smallest dabbling duck in Orange County. According to the Natural History of Waterfowl by Frank S. Todd, the word teal may derive from words in medieval English and or Old Dutch meaning "small." It is true that teals are all small birds. The Green-winged Teal's most easily seen field marks are the chestnut head, the iridescent green stripe on on the side of the head, and the vertical, thin, white stripe down the male Green-winged Teal's side, and the dark bill.

Green-winged Teal dabbling at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary.

Green-winged Teals eat a variety of aquatic foods, including aquatic invertebrates, aquatic vegetation, and aquatic plant seeds. They prefer shallow ponds or other shallow bodies of water. They can be found in either fresh or salt water.

Male Green-winged Teal at Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve

I have seen Green-winged Teals at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve and at San Joaquin Wildlife Reserve. They would also be at other wetlands in the area. I have never seen them at community parks.






Male and female Green-winged Teal

Very few Green-winged Teals breed outside of Canada. The male and female pair up before they migrate to the breeding grounds.

Male and female Green-winged Teal at at Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve

The Green-winged Teal population is increasing despite being the second most hunted duck in the United States. Animal Diversity Web believes it is due in part to the inaccessibility of their breeding grounds.

Green-winged Teals at Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve in Orange County

Green-winged Teals are very easy to spot. When you are out birding wetlands, or shallow water areas, look for the duck with the rich red-brown head and the bright green stripe on the side of its head. The vertical white stripe on the side is another easy field mark. Enjoy watching the Green-winged Teal in Orange County.

Green-winged Teal from behind. Notice the two green stripes on either side of its head.

Duck Size

Green-winged Teal 14 " long Wingspan 23"

Blue-winged Teal 15.5 " long Wingspan 24"

Cinnamon Teal 16" long Wingspan 22"

Northern Shoveler 19" long Wingspan 30"

American Wigeon 20 " long Wingspan 32"

Northern Pintail 21" long Wingspan 32"

Mallard 23 " long Wingspan 35"

OC Birder Girl Links

Ducks

The Wild Ducks of Orange County

American Wigeon--Anas americana

Cinnamon Teal--Anas cyanoptera

Mallards--Anas platyrhynchos

Northern Pintail--Anas acuta

Northern Shoveler--Anas clypeata

Places to see Green-winged Teals

Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve aka Newport Back Bay

External Links

All About Birds: Green-winged Teal

Detailed page about the Green-winged Teal includes Cool Facts, Description, Similar Species, Sound, Range, Reproduction, and Other Names.

Animal Diversity Web: Green-winged Teal

Michigan University's great Animal Diversity Web tackles the Green-winged Teal covering habitat, reproduction, physical description, range, diet, conservation status and more.

BirdWeb: Green-winged Teal

Seattle Audubon site profiles the Green-winged Teal. Includes information on range, behavior, diet, nesting, migration status, conservation status, and more.

USGS: Green-winged Teal

Short, helpful article.

Virtual Bird's Natural History of Waterfowl: The Green-winged Teal

Long and detailed article on the the Green-winged Teal.

Species, Age and Sex Identification of Ducks Using Wing Plumage:
Green-winged Teal

From the US Geological Service. A short and well illustrated article about the wings of the Green-winged Teal.

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The Wild Ducks of Orange County

DABBLING DUCKS (AKA Puddle Ducks)

American Wigeons at Huntington Central Park having a whistling contest.

Eurasian Wigeon at Huntington Central Park. This is a rare bird, but is regulary seen around Orange County in the fall and winter.

Blue-winged Teals at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Cinnamon Teals at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary

Mallards--Huntington Central Park

Northern Pintails at Newport Back Bay

Female and Male Northern Shovelers at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary

Male Northern Shoveler at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary

Female Northern Shoveler at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary

Male and female Green-winged Teal at Newport Back Bay

Male Green-winged Teal--Newport Back Bay

PERCHING DUCKS

Male Wood Duck--Aix sponsa at Irvine Regional Park in Orange, California

Female Wood Duck--Aix sponsa at Irvine Regional Park in Orange, California

Male Mandarin Duck (Exotic--non-native Asian species--most are escapees) at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Seen from time to time in Orange County, CA.









Female Mandarin Duck (exotic Asian species--non-native--most are escapees) at Huntington Central Park

DIVING DUCKS

Male Bufflehead Duck at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Female Bufflehead Duck at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Male Ruddy Duck Foreground non-breeding plumage at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Male Ruddy Duck in almost full breeding plumage. Just a little black still on the tip of the otherwise bright, blue bill.

Female Ruddy Duck at at Mason Regional Park swimming with her tail down.

Male Surf Scoter at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Female Surf Scoter at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

White-winged Scoter--female looks like the Surf Scoter female with less clearly defined white patches. This is a rare bird for Orange County. Photo taken at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve .

Male and female Redhead--Aythya americana at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Canvasback Ducks Photo Courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service.  Photographer Donna Dewhurst.

Male and Female Lesser Scaups at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Male Ring-necked Duck Photo Courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service.  Photographer--Lee Karney.












Ring-necked Duck Courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service.  Photographer Dave Menke.

Red-breasted Merganser at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Here is a male Hooded Merganser courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service photographer Tim McCabe. The Hooded Merganser is a rare bird for this area but turns up regularly in our rivers, lakes, estuaries, and ponds. Places like Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, and Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve aka Newport Back Bay, San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, and several of the Regional Parks.


Here is a female Hooded Merganser courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service photographer Glen Smart. Again, a rare bird that turns up on a regular basis.


So when you are out birding in fall, winter, and early spring keep your binoculars and camera ready to spot some great wild ducks in Orange County! Check out the links below for more on ducks and places to go bird watching to see ducks. We have lots of birding hot spots in Orange County where you can see wild ducks.






OC Birder Girl Links







Odd Ducks



Strange-looking ducks and duck-like birds you might see in Orange County.












Birding Hot Spots in Orange County, California



Orange County, California has many great birding places including wonderful parks, nature centers, wildlife refuges, wilderness areas, and a national forest.




















Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
Great place to see wild ducks or do any kind of birding. You can see more of the wilder variety here like Northern Pintails, Buffleheads, Scaups, Mergansers, and Scoters as well as Ruddy Ducks, American Wigeons, and Northern Shovelers.













Central Park in Huntington Beach
Another birding hot spot. Ruddy Ducks, American Wigeons, Mallards, and Northern Shovelers.













Mason Regional Park



Lots of surprises here as far as birding. You never know what you might find. Mostly Ruddy Ducks, American Wigeons, and Mallards though.











San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary



Wilder fresh water ducks and the more common ones, too. Ruddy Ducks, American Wigeons, Pintails, Buffleheads, and Northern Shovelers.







Tewinkle Park -- Costa Mesa

Mostly the usual park fair with a few occasional surprises.

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