A Closer Look At...
Blue-winged Teal
Trivia
Relative to other ducks, this small dabbler is an early migrant in fall. It is one of the first ducks to arrive in Texas and is common throughout the state by late August and into September. Although blue-winged teal may seem relatively common during winter in rice fields and in other freshwater habitats near the coast, the vast majority of the continental population winters in Mexico, Central America and South America. It is truly a Neotropical migrant.
State Parks to Visit
Depending on the time of the year, blue-winged teal may be seen at any state park with a wetland component, including but not limited to Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center, Brazos Bend State Park and Lake Texana State Park. Look for Blue-winged Teal in shallow, moderately to heavily vegetated freshwater or brackish wetlands.