Look at this gorgeous couple! Ducks are famously glamorous, especially those brightly-colored males. When I first laid eyes on a Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca), I could only marvel that they “really DO look like the picture in my field guide!”

Photo: nashvilleboots.com

Most of the Green-winged Teals that I saw were paired up, and stayed close to one another. They were such cute little ducks! I don’t know if the male’s plumage serves any purpose other than to make the ladies swoon, but it certainly can’t serve as camouflage. The light brown, spotted breast feathers remind me of ostrich-skin boots, which is weird because they are made from another bird, minus the feathers.

Living in Texas, boots are a common sight, and ostrich-skin is prized for its beauty and durability. Full disclosure: I own a pair of ostrich-skin boots that look exactly like this. I know, I know…I wasn’t thinking the same way back when I bought them. Boy, have I changed!

Have you noticed the mud on Mr. Green-wing’s bill? This is evidence of their feeding method, which is “dabbling,” and nosing around in the shallows. Or, maybe this is just his version of sunscreen.

Green-winged Teals can be seen just about everywhere in North America, at some point during the year. These ducks were first honored on the Federal Duck Stamp for the 1939-1940 hunting season. I am still reconciling my admiration for the good that the Federal Duck Stamp program does for ducks, wetlands, and other wildlife, with the knowledge that the program is based on hunting. I love looking at these old stamps though:

Federal Duck Stamp, 1939-1940

Federal Duck Stamp, 1979-1980

I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of the Duck Duck Goose series!

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