Garganey
Spatula querquedula

At a Glance

A long-distance migrant in the Old World, this small duck sometimes goes off course, and might turn up almost anywhere in North America. Most likely to be seen in spring, on marshy ponds of the sort favored by Blue-winged Teal. In the western Aleutian Islands, Alaska, occurs as a rare migrant in spring and very rarely in fall.
Category
Duck-like Birds
Conservation
Low Concern
Habitat
Freshwater Wetlands, Lakes, Ponds, and Rivers

Range & Identification

Description

15" (38 cm). Male has long white stripe on brown head. Female very much like female Blue-winged Teal, but with stronger face pattern.
Size
About the size of a Crow
Tail Shape
Rounded, Short, Wedge-shaped

Songs and Calls

Many of the calls are similar to Blue-winged Teal or Northern Shoveler. Males give an odd rattle-like call. Females emit a week croak similar to a Green-winged Teal.
Call Type
Croak/Quack, Rattle