Blue-winged Teal - adult male alternate

HOW TO IDENTIFY:

* 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.