This vagrant from Europe and Asia is similar in size and structure to Blue-winged Teal. Garganey has a more squared head shape and slightly heavier bill. The white-edged tertials and the white trailing edge on the secondaries (in flight) are distinctive. Male: Shows a bold white supercilium that arches down the back of the neck. Head and neck are reddish brown. The flanks are barred gray. Long tertials droop over the lower back. Belly is white. In flight, pale wing coverts form a large silvery patch on the wing in front of the white-bordered speculum. The webs of the inner primaries are silver, giving the wing a frosted appearance. In Summer and early Fall adult males assume a cryptic female-like appearance, but retain breeding male wing pattern. Female: Medium brown overall with a white belly. Dark tertials have white edges. A dark line runs through the eye. A second, less distinct dark line runs across the cheek. The white loral spot is separated from the whitish throat by this second dark line. In flight, the upperwing is brownish-gray with a white trailing edge.

Length: 36 (cm) Wingspan: 58 (cm)

Habitat:

Shallow wetlands and lakes.

Behavior:

Feeding:

Skims along the water's surface for plants and invertebrates. Seldom tips up.