Watercolor portrait of Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors)

Blue-winged Teal

Spatula discors
Long-distance migrant Prefers shallow freshwater wetlands with… Common Migrant Courtship Call

Learn to identify the Blue-winged Teal by ear. Master the "peep-peep" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“peep-peep”

What the Blue-winged Teal sounds like

A small, compact dabbling duck with a relatively large bill for its size. Males in breeding plumage have a slate-gray head with a bold white crescent in front of the eye, a speckled brown-and-black body, and a black rear end bordered by a white hip patch. Both sexes show a distinctive powder-blue patch on the forewing in flight. Females are mottled brown with a whitish area at the base of the bill and a dark eye line.

“peep-peep”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:Males give a high-pitched, nasal 'peep-peep' call during courtship displays, often accompanied by head pumping and wing fluttering. Often written as “peep-peep”.
Don't confuse with:The Cinnamon Teal — male cinnamon teal has rich reddish-brown body plumage rather than speckled brown-and-black.

Where you'll hear it

Prefers shallow freshwater wetlands with abundant emergent vegetation, including marshes, ponds, sloughs, and flooded fields. During migration and winter, also uses brackish marshes, coastal lagoons, and rice fields. Nests in grassy upland areas near water, often in dense vegetation.

One of the earliest ducks to migrate north in spring and one of the earliest to head south in fall. Breeding occurs from April to August depending on latitude. Fall migration begins in August and peaks in September. Spring migration occurs from March to May.

Similar species

Cinnamon Teal

Male Cinnamon Teal has rich reddish-brown body plumage rather than speckled brown-and-black.

Green-winged Teal

Smaller overall with a shorter neck and bill.

Northern Shoveler

Larger overall with a much larger, spatulate bill.

Blue-winged Teal song FAQ

What does a Blue-winged Teal sound like?
Males give a high-pitched, nasal 'peep-peep' call during courtship displays, often accompanied by head pumping and wing fluttering. Listen for the "peep-peep" phrase.
How do I tell a Blue-winged Teal from a Cinnamon Teal by sound?
Cinnamon Teal: Male Cinnamon Teal has rich reddish-brown body plumage rather than speckled brown-and-black.; Male Cinnamon Teal lacks the white facial crescent.; Female Cinnamon Teal is slightly darker and more uniformly colored than female Blue-winged Teal.; Both species have similar blue wing patches..
When is the best time to hear a Blue-winged Teal?
One of the earliest ducks to migrate north in spring and one of the earliest to head south in fall. Breeding occurs from April to August depending on latitude. Fall migration begins in August and peaks in September. Spring migration occurs from March to May.