Species › Birds › Green-winged Teal

Green-winged Teal

Anas crecca

CommonBird
Illustration of Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca)

The Green-winged Teal is the smallest dabbling duck in North America, capable of extremely rapid, twisting flight in tight flocks that shift direction in unison. The male has a chestnut head with a broad iridescent green eye patch. It is one of the most abundant ducks in North America and a popular game bird.

Habitat
Wetlands, marshes, ponds, and tidal flats
Diet
Seeds, aquatic plants, and small invertebrates
How common
Common

Best time to see a Green-winged Teal

The best time to see a Green-winged Teal is October–February, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 42,474 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Green-winged Teal? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Green-winged Teal sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spotted a Green-winged Teal?

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal and know for sure - plus a live map of where it is being spotted near you.

Get Huck - free
5,300+species
63national parks
50states

More birds

Greenish Elaenia
Greenish Elaenia
Myiopagis viridicata
Greylag Goose
Greylag Goose
Anser anser
Groove-billed Ani
Groove-billed Ani
Crotophaga sulcirostris
Gull-billed Tern
Gull-billed Tern
Gelochelidon nilotica
Gyrfalcon
Gyrfalcon
Falco rusticolus
Hairy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Leuconotopicus villosus
Hammond's Flycatcher
Hammond's Flycatcher
Empidonax hammondii
Harlequin Duck
Harlequin Duck
Histrionicus histrionicus