bluewinged teal (Anas discors)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 11 inches Wingspan: 24 inches

• small dabbling duck

• Medium-sized bill without spatulate tip

• Pale blue upper secondary coverts

• Green speculum with white leading edge

• Dark bill

• Juvenile similar to adult female

Adult male alternate:

• Alternate plumage worn from early winter through early summer

• Blue-gray head with darker cap

• White crescent on face in front of eye

• Buff breast and flanks with darker spotting

• White band at rear portion of flanks

• Black undertail coverts

Adult male basic:

• Similar to adult female, but forewing brighter

Adult female:

• Pale head

• Dark crown and eye line

• Pale eye ring, and loral spot

• Mottled gray-brown body plumage with darker back

Similar species:

Adult in alternate plumage is unmistakable. Female, immature and
eclipse male similar to green-winged and cinnamon teals. Note the
small size and small bill of the green-winged teals as well as the
green speculum. Cinnamon teal is very difficult to distinguish in some
(female) plumages, but note the smaller bill without a spatulate tip and
the more distinct facial pattern (pale loral spot and more distinct eye
line) of the blue-winged teal.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: N/A
Breeding Habitat: Wetland-open water
Nest Location: N/A
Nest Type: N/A
Clutch Size: 6-15
Length of Incubation: 24(23-27) days
Days to Fledge: 35-44
Number of Broods: 1
Diet: Mostly seeds, green plant matter; lesser quantities of aquatic
   invertebrates

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May R
      Su - Summer: June, July, August
      Fall: September, October, November Acc

      Winter: December, January, February

 

 

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