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Green Winged Teal (Anas carolinensis)

The Green Winged Teal (Anas carolinensis) is North America's smallest dabbling duck, renowned for its vibrant green wing patches and distinctive migratory patterns. This species breeds in the northern regions of Canada and migrates south to the United States and Mexico during the winter months.

Identification and Whereabouts

While the Green Winged Teal is smaller than other similar ducks, size can be deceptive when you cannot compare them directly in the field. To identify males, look for their brown heads adorned with a prominent green eye patch. Females are more challenging to distinguish, but a key feature is the green patch on their inner wings, visible when the bird is in flight or spreads its wings.

During my first sighting, I observed two females or juveniles on a pond in Newfoundland. Unfortunately, I did not record the location, as I was not entirely certain of the identification at the time. On a subsequent occasion, I confidently identified a flock of Green Winged Teal on a pond in Park Pointe-aux-Prairies.

All content on this page — including photos, videos, and field audio recordings — was created by Karl-Heinz Müller, a Montréal-based wildlife filmmaker, sound recordist, and photographer. Founder of MUUUH and Québec Sauvage, he has spent over a decade documenting Canada’s natural habitats through immersive soundscapes and wildlife films. Learn more about Karl-Heinz

Last updated: 2025-01-04