AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN LCInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Least Concern — widespread and abundant; not at immediate risk of extinction.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Spatula discors
Blue-winged Teal
(Linnaeus, 1766)
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
A small, compact dabbling duck with a relatively large, dark bill. Breeding males are distinguished by a slate-blue head featuring a striking white vertical crescent between the bill and the eye, a pinkish-brown body densely covered with black spots, and a white patch on the rear flank. Females are mottled brown with a dark line through the eye. In flight, both sexes reveal a brilliant sky-blue patch on the forewing.
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Anonymous Curator
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Under Review
Last modified by
Julia Trouin
TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Chordata
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Aves
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Anseriformes
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Anatidae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Spatula
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.(Linnaeus, 1766)
Record Completeness
96%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Stable
Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
Year Round
Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
Omnivore
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
Inhabits shallow, calm freshwater wetlands, including prairie potholes, shallow marshes, shallow edges of lakes, swamps, and flooded agricultural fields. During winter migration, they heavily utilize coastal lagoons, mangrove swamps, estuaries, and brackish rice fields.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
A highly active, diurnal and crepuscular dabbling duck that forages in small groups or large synchronized flocks. They travel in tight, fast-flying groups that twist and turn together in perfect unison. They are among the first waterfowl to migrate south in autumn and the last to return north in spring. The male emits a high-pitched, repeating whistling peep, while the female gives a soft, high-pitched quack.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
Exceedingly social and gregarious throughout most of the year. They form massive aggregations during staging phases of migration and on wintering wetlands, often mixing freely with other small dabbling ducks like Green-winged Teals and Cinnamon Teals.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Aquatic surface-filtering omnivore.Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
An omnivorous dabbler whose diet varies by season. During spring nesting, it consumes high-protein animal matter, focusing heavily on aquatic snails, midges, dragonfly nymphs, beetles, and small crustaceans. During autumn and winter, the diet shifts extensively towards plant material, including the seeds of sedges, pondweeds, smartweeds, wild rice, and agricultural grains. Predators include large raptors, minks, foxes, and snapping turtles.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
Seasonal monogamous pairs form during winter and early spring migration. The female chooses a nesting site on dry ground in dense prairie grasslands, often quite far from water. She scrapes a hollow and weaves a shallow cup nest of grasses, lining it thickly with down feathers. She lays 6 to 14 creamy-white eggs and carries out the incubation entirely alone for around 24 days.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
36.0 - 41.0 cm
Weight (Grams)
280 g - 500 g
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.6 - 14
Sexual DimorphismObservable physical differences between males and females of the same species (e.g., size, coloration, features).Yes
Lifespan
Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.
10 - 12 Months
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
23 - 27
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males4 - 12 Years
Females4 - 12 Years
Sexual DimorphismPhysical differences in size, coloration, or morphology between males and females of this species.
Males Multi-lang
The breeding male features a striking slate-blue or lead-grey head with a broad, white vertical crescent patch in front of the eye. The body is warm pinkish-brown, heavily patterned with dark brown circular spots, the tail covers are solid black with a bold white patch on the lateral flank, and the eyes are dark hazel.
Females Multi-lang
The female is entirely mottled drab brownish-buff with dark brown scale-like patterning to maximize camouflage while nesting. Her head is lighter greyish-brown with a dark crown, a dark line cutting through the eye, and a distinct pale spot at the base of the bill. She lacks the male's facial crescent but shares the same blue wing patch.
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Elongated, specialized bill lined with fine, comb-like internal lamellae designed to highly efficiently strain small seeds, aquatic macroinvertebrates, and plant matter directly from the water column or surface film.
Long, pointed wings driven by powerful pectoral muscles that facilitate highly agile, rapid flight and rapid vertical takeoffs from water, enabling immediate evasion of wetland predators.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Loss of critical prairie pothole breeding habitats due to climate-driven droughts and agricultural drainage, combined with high vulnerability to botulism outbreaks in overcrowded wintering lagoons.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
The Blue-winged Teal is an exceptional long-distance migrant; some individuals travel over 4,000 miles from central North America to South America, being among the earliest ducks to leave their breeding grounds in autumn.