Winter Visitors – Green-winged Teal, Mallard & Gadwall

The journey which had started from the month of October 2021 is near completion, as the summer season has already started taking over the charge from the Winter. In this blog, I would like to share some pictures and other information about three other species Green-winged Teal, Mallard and Gadwall, which obliged me this winter too and made their guest appearance, at least for me. This winter also, I spotted Green-winged Teal at Dhanas Lake, Mallard at Sukhna Lake and Gadwall at both the places i.e. at Dhanas Lake as well as Sukhna Lake.

Green-winged Teal

Its name is derived from the green crescent present on its wings that are mainly visible while it flies. This green mark or speculum is present in both male and female birds. The most striking thing about the green-winged teal is, of course, the green eye patch that is seen in the males. The females have a lighter brown color compared to the dark-colored plumage seen in the males. The males also have a chestnut head with the iconic green eye patch that stretches to the back of its head. The birds have a yellow rear end which is clearly seen when it is swimming. In contrast, the underbelly has a light color which is usually white. The green-winged teal wing has a green speculum giving the bird its name. 

Mallard

Mallards are large ducks with hefty bodies, rounded heads, and wide, flat bills. Like many “dabbling ducks” the body is long and the tail rides high out of the water, giving a blunt shape. In flight their wings are broad and set back toward the rear.

Male Mallards have a dark, iridescent-green head and bright yellow bill. The gray body is sandwiched between a brown breast and black rear. Females and juveniles are mottled brown with orange-and-brown bills. Both sexes have a white-bordered, blue “speculum” patch in the wing.

Gadwall

In a world where male ducks sport gleaming patches of green, red, or blue, the Gadwall’s understated elegance can make this common duck easy to overlook. Males are intricately patterned with gray-brown, and with a black patch at the tail; females resemble female Mallards, although with a thinner, darker bill. Females are patterned with brown and buff and having a thin orange edge to their dark bills. In flight, both sexes have a white wing patch that is sometimes visible while swimming or resting. We don’t tend to think of ducks as pirates, but Gadwall often snatch food from diving ducks as they surface.