green winged teal
1. Bird Name:
The English name of this bird is Green-winged Teal. Its scientific name is Anas carolinensis.
2. Appearance:
The Green-winged Teal is one of the smallest dabbling ducks, known for its beautiful and unique shades. They have a cinnamon-colored head with a broad green patch that extends from the eye to the back of the head. The body is a speckled gray color, contrasted with a white chest and distinctive vertical white stripe along the side. Its bill is short and dark, while the eyes are round and chestnut-brown. The tail is pointed with a black central patch visually separated by a white crescent. Male and female Green-winged Teal differ in their colorations, with males having brighter and more dramatic colors while females display a more subdued brown.
3. Size:
A Green-winged Teal’s average length ranges from 11.8 to 15.7 inches (30-40 cm). They have a wingspan of up to 23.6 inches (60 cm). Typically, adult birds weigh between 7.5 to 15.2 ounces (212-429 grams).
4. Habitat & Distribution:
The Green-winged Teal is found throughout much of North America, Europe, and Asia, being most common in Northern regions. They prefer wetland environments such as marshes, ponds, and shallow lakes. During the breeding season, these ducks favor the tundra, boreal forests, and prairie wetlands where they can find isolated pond spaces.
5. Interesting Facts:
Green-winged Teals are noted for their agility in flight and quick take-off abilities, making them challenging targets for hunters. They are also one of the last duck species to migrate north for breeding. These birds are sociable and non-territorial, often feeding with other species of dabbling ducks. In folklore, it is believed to be a bird of positive predictions, symbolizing harmony and balance.
6. Diet:
Green-winged Teals mainly feed on vegetative matter including seeds, aquatic plants, and grasses. However, they’re not only confined to this particular diet but have been known to feed on aquatic invertebrates such as insects, mollusks, and crustaceans as a protein source during breeding and development.
7. Behavior & Sounds:
Males perform a variety of ritualized behaviors to attract females, including head bobbing, tail shaking, and bill dipping. The Green-winged Teal call is a low whistle, while the females emit a soft, subtle quack. The flight pattern of this duck species is particularly nimble and can change with abrupt directional shifts.
8. Conservation Status:
According to the IUCN Red List, the Green-winged Teal is categorized as a species of “Least Concern,” with the population perceived to be increasing.
9. Lifespan:
On average, Green-winged Teals have an expected lifespan of 20 years in the wild, while in captivity, they can live slightly longer.
10. Additional Notes:
These birds are known as “Sarcelle d’hiver” in French and “Cerceta ala verde” in Spanish. Human interaction is quite limited, though they’re often sought after by bird watchers and hunters. Their role in the ecosystem is significant, as their feeding habits help control certain populations of aquatic insects and contribute to seed dispersal. These birds also serve as prey for larger predators, making them an integral part of the food chain.
