Blue-winged and green-winged teal: Examining the colorful Illinois natives

When a blue-winged teal takes flight over an Illinois wetland, you immediately understand how it got its name. The powdery blue patch on its wings is prominent, especially when the sun is shining.
In flight, the slightly smaller green-winged teal also shows a colorful wing – one that’s green and black in the speculum. Those wing patches are great identification factors in both the male and female of these two native Illinois ducks.
Another good identification factor for the green-winged teal is the green patch that adorns the males’ rust-colored head. Females of both teal species are mottled brown to gray, but do show the speculum color.