Green-winged Teal

Green-winged Teal is now an annual visitor to Northern Ireland. Birds have in the last few years being reported from RSPB Belfast Harbour Reserve, Larne Lough and Lough Beg. This north American species is distinctive in male plumage and it is easy to understand why there are no female records (yet....). The photographs below show the differences with Common Teal very well i.e. the vertical white stripes and the less well marked head. Hybrids have however been seen in NI with one bird showing both a vertical and a horizontal white stripe! Many thanks to Stephen Maxwell for these photos of the Belfast Harbour bird:
Green-winged Teal - Stephen Maxwell
Common Teal and Green-winged Teal - Stephen Maxwell

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