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
Anas crecca
Green-winged Teal
Linnaeus, 1758
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
One of the smallest dabbling ducks, characterized by its compact proportions and swift, erratic flight. Breeding males display a rich chestnut-brown head with a broad, iridescent crescent-green patch sweeping back from the eye, a finely vermiculated grey body, and a conspicuous cream-colored patch near the tail. Both sexes possess a brilliant iridescent green wing speculum.
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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.Anas
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.Linnaeus, 1758
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.
Increasing
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
Breeds across northern wetlands, preferring shallow freshwater marshes, tundra pools, brushy bogs, and small lakes with dense shoreline cover. In winter, it shifts to coastal lagoons, tidal mudflats, estuaries, and agricultural wetlands like flooded rice fields.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
A highly active, diurnal dabbling duck that feeds by sifting mud or skimming water surfaces. It rarely dives. It is a long-distance nocturnal migrant that travels in large groups. During winter, they feed heavily at night if hunting pressure is high during the day. The male's voice is a distinctive, high-pitched metallic ringing whistle: 'krick-krick', while the female gives a high, sharp, short quack.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
Exceedingly gregarious outside the nesting period. They form massive aggregations on wintering wetlands, staging lakes, and feeding grounds, often moving in tight, densely packed flocks that turn and twist in perfect unison.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
Omnivorous opportunistic feeder. Diet shifts to heavily focus on animal matter during the spring breeding season, including aquatic insects, midge larvae, small crustaceans, and snails. In autumn and winter, it transitions almost completely to plant matter, focusing on small seeds of sedges, pondweeds, grasses, and waste agricultural grain. Predators include peregrine falcons, marsh harriers, foxes, minks, and large owls.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
Monogamous pairs form during winter months on wintering grounds. Courtship involves complex communal displays on the water. The female selects a well-hidden nest site on dry ground near water, often deep within dense grasses or brush. She scrapes a hollow, lines it with grass and copious dark down down feathers. She lays 6 to 12 cream-to-buff eggs and undertakes incubation entirely alone.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
34.0 - 38.0 cm
Weight (Grams)
250 g - 450 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 - 12
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).
21 - 23
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males5 - 12 Years
Females5 - 12 Years
Sexual DimorphismPhysical differences in size, coloration, or morphology between males and females of this species.
Males Multi-lang
The breeding male features an unmistakable deep chestnut head with a broad, iridescent dark green stripe running from the eye down to the nape, bordered by a thin cream-colored line. The breast is pinkish-buff with bold dark spots, the body is finely vermiculated grey and white, and a distinct white vertical bar sits on the shoulder (in American subspecies *carolinensis*).
Females Multi-lang
The female is entirely mottled dull brownish-buff with dark brown patterns designed for nesting crypsis, completely lacking the male's bright head coloration. She shares a similar dark bill and legs, but can be distinguished by a pale buff streak on the side of the tail and her prominent green wing speculum.
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Highly specialized comb-like lamellae lining the margins of the bill, dense and finely spaced, enabling them to filter extremely microscopic seeds, grit, and tiny invertebrates from water or soft ooze.
Lightweight, aerodynamic body coupled with long pointed wings that grant immense propulsive power for nearly vertical takeoffs directly from water surfaces, allowing quick escape from predators.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
High susceptibility to avian disease outbreaks (such as Avian Influenza and Botulism) due to their behavior of congregating in immense, tightly packed flocks during migration staging and wintering.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
Green-winged Teals are among the fastest flying ducks; their erratic, twisting flight patterns in large synchronized flocks closely resemble the aerial maneuvers of shorebirds rather than waterfowl.