Anas crecca
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Mass
~340 g
Habitat
Wetlands and marshes
Diet
Aquatic plants
How to recognize it
The Green-winged Teal is a small, lively duck that is easy to remember for its sleek shape and narrow, pointed wings. In spring the drake looks especially striking on the water, while the female is quieter-looking and more subdued.
It is a noisy, social duck outside the breeding season and often gathers in large flocks. The male gives a clear, high whistle, while the female answers with a softer quack; in flight it moves fast, and it can rise almost straight up from the water.
It prefers sheltered shallow wetlands with vegetation along the edges, and in winter it also uses brackish waters, inlets, and lagoons. It eats both animal and plant food, shifting more toward seeds and grain in colder months; in milder places it may stay through the year.
Quick Facts
Listen to the call
The Green-winged Teal is a small, lively duck that is easy to remember for its sleek shape and narrow, pointed wings. In spring the drake looks especially striking on the water, while the female is quieter-looking and more subdued.
It is a noisy, social duck outside the breeding season and often gathers in large flocks. The male gives a clear, high whistle, while the female answers with a softer quack; in flight it moves fast, and it can rise almost straight up from the water.
It prefers sheltered shallow wetlands with vegetation along the edges, and in winter it also uses brackish waters, inlets, and lagoons. It eats both animal and plant food, shifting more toward seeds and grain in colder months; in milder places it may stay through the year.
