Identifying Bluewinged Teal during the September season can be difficult to the untrained or inexperienced hunter, because the birds are still in the eclipse phase. This means they have no breeding colors and look alot alike. There are subtle differences in head shape between the sexes however, as well as varying weights and feather color. Using these methods as a means of identification is very effective, with professionals being able to put this all together to "ID" a teal at 100 yards or more. This is very difficult to teach or even show, and thus will not be covered here.

Do you think you could tell the differences above if you were in this blind when this group of teal came in for a landing?  Do you think you could pick out and shoot only drakes? The easiest way for a novice or even experienced hunter to differentiate between teal sexes is to use the wings as a tool. Adult Bluewinged teal hens have a vastly different wing than adult drakes. Likewise, juvenile drakes have a wing similar to a hen but still different enough to use in identification. In hand, the focal point should be on the speculum and the leading edge of the speculum. As seen below, an adult drake Bluewing has a shiny green speculum.

The leading edge is bright white, which makes the blue shoulder look somewhat brighter. In flight this stands out like a beacon, making the drakes appear to have brighter blue on their wings. It is easy to distinguish them from hens as shown below.

 As seen above, hens have almost no green on the speculum. The wing is dull, and the leading edge is largely blue mottled. Their blue shoulder looks dull as a result, and is almost unnoticeable when flying with drakes. Juvenile drakes will have this mottled leading edge, but will have the shiny green speculum of the adults. This speculum is the telltale sign to look for in hand. The leading edge making the blue brighter is what is best used on the wing.


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Last updated on September 26, 2007
Photos by "B'WANA'S" Guide Services
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