Puddle Duck
Blue-winged Teal
Spatula discors
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The first birds of fall — here and gone before the season warms up.
2026 population status
3.96M breeding birds -11% vs. last year
22% below the long-term average.
See the full 2026 survey numbers →Identification
- Drake: slate-gray head with a bold white facial crescent, brown speckled body, powder-blue wing patch.
- Hen: small mottled brown with the same blue wing patch flashing in flight.
- Small, fast, and erratic — twist and turn low over the water in tight bunches.
Habitat
Shallow mudflats, sheetwater, flooded ag, and skinny marsh — anywhere warm and shallow early season.
Behavior
One of the earliest migrants — most are gone south by the time hard weather arrives. Buzz spreads low and fast, often several passes before dropping in.
Decoy setup
Small teal or mixed dabbler decoys on shallow water; low-profile spread. Motion decoys help on bluebird early-season days.
Calling
Soft peeps and quiet quacks — keep it subtle, they're not call-shy but don't need much.
What gets them moving
Early-season cold snapsFirst fronts of SeptemberFalling water exposing mud
Ready to set up on blue-winged teal?
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