Gardening Actions:

Create a place for wildlife
Make your yard a refuge for migratory birds.

Stop migratory birds from hitting your windows
Thousands of birds die each year on their migrations when hitting residential and commercial windows.

Create a haven for hummingbirds
Attract these tiny and colorful migrating birds.

Safe birdfeeding tips
The best food for birds comes from native plants, but if you offer feeders, here are some important tips.

Purchasing Actions:

Join NWF and help migratory birds
Your tax-deductible donation supports NWF's work to protect migratory birds and other imperiled wildlife. We'll acknowledge your gift with a complimentary plush animal. Thank you.

Buy bird-friendly coffee
Many birds spend the winter in South America. Help protect their homes from coffee growers. Purchasing this coffee also supports NWF.

Migration Distance
7,000 miles

Migration Route and Stopover Sites
They breed in southeastern Alaska and western Canada, south to California and New Mexico. They winter in many areas, including Florida, the Caribbean, the Texas and Louisiana coastlines, Mexico, Central America and South America as far south Peru and northeastern Brazil. They have been known to stay in small groups in the Galapagos Islands and will visit Chile, Uruguay and Argentina.

Migration Speed
85 feet per second

Migration Hazards
The blue-winged teal is usually one of the first ducks to begin migrating and as such, are one of the first ducks killed as many states will open an early hunting season for this bird.

Bird Size
14-16 inches

Population
A breeding population survey done in 2001 showed 5.8 million birds, a 23 percent decrease from the year before.

Threats
The greatest threat facing the blue-winged teal is loss of habitat due to land conversion for agriculture, urban development and road-building.

Interesting Facts
The blue-winged teal has an erratic flight pattern that consists of quick turns and twists, all done in unison.

Send an e-card Invite your friend to come learn about this amazing bird.