Blue-winged Teal Watching in Oregon

One of the smaller ducks, the Blue-winged Teal commonly breeds and spends summers in much of Oregon. Some spend their winters in California, but most are famous for their incredibly long flights to Mexico, Central America, and the northern parts of South America. The Blue-winged Teal is similar to the Cinnamon Teal, though slightly smaller, and best identified by their iridescent patch of blue, which can usually only been seen in flight.The Blue-winged Teal is a dabbler so they generally eat plants out of shallow water, but sometimes they are known to eat mollusks or small insects. They have plenty of suitable habitats in Oregon, though they are uncommon along most of the coast and in the northeastern corner of the state.

Habitats for Blue-winged Teals

Blue-winged Teals nest on the land, but spend most of their days in marshes and other wetlands. They are commonly found in the Tualatin National Wildlife Refuge among other places in the area, and they are one of the species that actively breed in Oregon.

Best seasons to see Blue-winged Teals in Oregon

These birds are quite common in Oregon during their summer breeding season, but they are also notorious for arriving relatively late and leaving relatively early, so during spring and fall they are usually only around at the edges of the season. They spend much of their time on their long migration south, so the middle of summer will provide your best chances of seeing them.

Blue-winged Teals in Oregon summary

Typical habitat: Marshes and open, shallow water
Seasons: Primarily in summer
Abundance: Common in season

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