Green-winged teal and wigeons are two species of dabbling ducks that can often be found in the same wetland habitats. While they share some similarities, there are some key differences between these two waterfowl species when it comes to identification, behavior, diet, breeding, and migration patterns. Keep reading to learn more about how to tell green-winged teal and wigeon apart.
How to Identify Green-Winged Teal
The green-winged teal (Anas crecca) is a small dabbling duck species that is common across North America. Some key identification features of green-winged teal include:
– Size and Shape: Green-winged teal measure 14-17 inches in length with a wingspan of 23-27 inches. They have a compact, rounded body shape. Their bill is small and gray.
– Plumage: Breeding males have a chestnut colored head with a distinctive vertical white stripe on the side of the breast. Their belly is sharply scaled. The rest of the body is mottled brown and buff. The wings are iridescent green with a buff-colored speculum (colored wing patch). Females are mottled brown overall with a pale bluish-gray bill.
– In Flight: Green-winged teal in flight reveal light underwings with no white vertical stripe seen on some other small dabblers like blue-winged teal. Their swift, direct flight style on rapidly beating wings helps identify them.
How to Identify Wigeon
Wigeon refers to two closely related dabbling duck species: the Eurasian wigeon (Anas penelope) found in Europe and Asia, and the American wigeon (Anas americana) found in North America. Here are some tips for identification:
– Size and Shape: Wigeons measure 17-24 inches in length with a wingspan of 30-40 inches. They have a rotund, robust body shape. Their bill is bluish-gray and has a black tip (American) or dark olive green with black edges (Eurasian).
– Plumage: Male American wigeons have a white crown, green eye patch, pinkish chestnut belly, and gray flanks. Females are mottled brown. Male Eurasian wigeons have a rusty red head with yellow forehead, pinkish chestnut underparts, and gray mantle. Females are grayish brown. Both species have pale blue wing patches.
– In Flight: Wigeons fly swiftly with very rapid wingbeats. Their wide, rounded wings provide a quick clue to identification. American wigeon drakes reveal white bellies in flight.
Differences in Behavior
Green-winged teal and wigeons have some differing behaviors:
Feeding Behavior
– Green-winged teal: Dabbles at the water surface while swimming. Will also feed by tipping headfirst to reach underwater vegetation. Makes short flights between feeding areas.
– Wigeon: Grazes on land more than most ducks. On water, dabbles and head-dips to reach aquatic plants. Known to steal food from other diving ducks.
Social Behavior
– Green-winged teal: Generally found in small, loose flocks outside of breeding season. Not as social as some duck species.
– Wigeon: Highly social, forming large dense flocks in winter. Will raft together in groups of hundreds or thousands.
Vocalizations
– Green-winged teal: Males give a characteristic rattling call in courtship. Generally quiet other times.
– Wigeon: Noisy ducks. Males have a bold 3-note whistling call. Females make loud “kwek” calls.
Habitat
– Green-winged teal: Prefers small, shallow wetlands like ponds, marshes, and sloughs with plenty of emergent vegetation.
– Wigeon: Found on larger, more open wetlands and estuaries. Seeks feeding grounds with abundant aquatic vegetation.
Diet and Feeding Habits
The diets of green-winged teal and wigeon differ somewhat:
Green-winged Teal Diet
– Seeds and vegetation from aquatic plants like pondweeds, watermilfoil, bulrushes, and grasses.
– Aquatic invertebrates like mollusks, crustaceans, and insects. Will tip headfirst underwater to reach invertebrates on pond bottoms.
– Some terrestrial insects and grains are consumed, but green-winged teal feed mainly on aquatic foods.
Wigeon Diet
– Leaves, stems, and seeds of aquatic plants like pondweeds, widgeongrass, eelgrass, and algae. Wigeon have serrated bills adapted for cutting vegetation.
– Grazes more on land than other ducks, consuming grasses, sedges, clovers, agricultural grains, and berries.
– Aquatic invertebrates like snails, insect larvae, and zooplankton are eaten but make up a small portion of diet compared to vegetation.
Breeding Behavior
Green-winged teal and wigeons have differing breeding behaviors:
Green-winged Teal Breeding
– Nesting: Nest on the ground near water, concealed in dense vegetation. Lined with down and feathers. 6-16 eggs are laid.
– Breeding Territory: Males are territorial during breeding season and establish small breeding territories.
– Pairing: Green-winged teal form monogamous breeding pairs, though the bond only lasts for one breeding season.
– Parental Care: Female alone incubates eggs and cares for the precocial young. Males leave before hatching.
Wigeon Breeding
– Nesting: Nest on the ground in well-hidden locations, lined with down. Larger clutch of 7-15 eggs.
– Breeding Territory: Males establish larger breeding territories than green-winged teal. Highly aggressive towards other males.
– Pairing: Wigeon form season-long pair bonds like green-winged teal. Males help defend nest sites.
– Parental Care: Female incubates eggs and cares for young alone. Males may remain with brood longer than other dabblers.
Migration Patterns
Green-winged teal and wigeons have some differences in their seasonal migration:
Green-winged Teal Migration
– Winter Range: Winters along the U.S. Pacific, Gulf, and Atlantic Coasts; inland across the southern U.S. and Mexico.
– Summer Range: Summers across Alaska and Canada. Breeds southward to the northern U.S. states.
– Migration Distance: Makes very long migrations, travelling 2,000+ miles between wintering and breeding grounds.
– Timing: Early spring and fall migrant. Arrives on breeding grounds by April. Departs by September.
Wigeon Migration
– Winter Range: Winters along U.S. Pacific, Gulf, and Atlantic Coasts. Widespread across the southern half of the U.S.
– Summer Range: Breeds across northwestern and northcentral U.S., Canada, and Alaska.
– Migration Distance: Medium-distance migrant, travelling 1,000+ miles between seasonal ranges.
– Timing: Spring migration peaks in March. Fall migration peaks late September to November. Winters farther north than many ducks.
Habitat and Range
The habitats and ranges of green-winged teal and wigeon differ in some ways:
Green-winged Teal Habitat
– Favors shallow freshwater wetlands: marshes, ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams.
– Seeks dense aquatic vegetation for cover and food.
– Breeds across Alaska, Canada, and the northern U.S.
– Winters across the southern half of North America.
Wigeon Habitat
– Occupies larger, more open wetlands: lakes, marshes, estuaries.
– Requires abundant aquatic vegetation like pondweeds and widgeongrass.
– Breeds across northwestern and northcentral North America.
– Winters along both coasts of the U.S. and inland to Central America.
Range Comparison
– Green-winged teal have a more northerly breeding distribution, spanning farther into Canada and Alaska.
– Wigeon winter farther north than green-winged teal, reaching their southern limits in Central America compared to South America.
– On migration and in winter, both species broadly overlap in range across the U.S.
Population and Conservation
Green-winged teal and wigeon have differing population statuses:
Green-winged Teal Population
– Estimated 3.5 million birds in North America.
– Stable population trend overall according to North American Breeding Bird Survey.
– Not listed as threatened or endangered.
Wigeon Population
– Estimated 2.8 million American wigeon in North America.
– Eurasian wigeon has population of 2.8-3.8 million.
– Declining population trends in recent decades, but not considered threatened.
– American wigeon watchlisted as a species of concern by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Conservation Concerns
– Habitat loss of wetland breeding and migratory stopover sites.
– Disturbance from human recreation.
– Exposure to lead shot and fishing tackle.
– Impacts from climate change decreasing wetland habitat.
Conclusions
In summary, while green-winged teal and wigeons occupy similar wetland habitats and have some behavioral overlaps, there are some key differences between these two species of dabbling ducks:
– Green-winged teal are smaller with more northerly breeding distribution. Wigeon are larger and winter farther north.
– Male breeding plumage differs, with green-winged teal having a vertical white breast stripe and wigeon having a white crown.
– Wigeon form larger flocks and have more vocalizations. Green-winged teal are quieter and less social.
– Green-winged teal mainly eat aquatic invertebrates. Wigeon have a more vegetarian diet.
– Green-winged teal nest in concealed locations in dense vegetation. Wigeon nest in more open sites.
– Wigeon populations are declining while green-winged teal are stable. Both face conservation threats from habitat loss and degradation.
Being able to distinguish these two waterfowl species by their appearance, voice, habitat, and behaviors allows birders to better appreciate the diversity of North America’s duck populations.