GAP Analysis Predicted Distribution Map

Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors)

Species Code: ANDI

Legend:
= Core Habitat
= Marginal Habitat

Breeding Range Map
The green area shows the predicted habitats for breeding only. The habitats were identified using 1991 satellite imagery, Breeding Bird Atlas (BBA), other datasets and experts throughout the state, as part of the Washington Gap Analysis Project. Habitats used during non-breeding months and migratory rest-stops were not mapped.

Metadata (Data about data or how the map was made)

Click to enlarge distribution map

Map with Breeding Bird Atlas records

Other maps & Information:

Breeding Bird Atlas
NatureMapping observations
during breeding season
NatureMapping observations
throughout the year

Fairly common breeder in freshwater wetlands and ponds in lowlands on both sides of the Cascade crest. Western Washington breeding areas are somewhat limited to the Puget Trough area and coastal locations. In eastern Washington, found in most steppe zones in appropriate habitat. In northern counties, found in the Ponderosa Pine zone along river valleys. Overall, more common throughout the state than the Greeen-winged Teal, but less common that the Cinnamon Teal.

Good habitat in core zones included all freshwater bodies in the Puget Sound Douglas-fir, Woodland/Prairie Mosaic, Cowlitz River, Western Hemlock and Sitka Spruce zones in western Washington, limited to the Puget Trough and coastal locations between Grays Harbor and the Columbia River. Below the Western Hemlock zone, agriculture, open areas in forests, and city parks were also included as suitable if appropriate habitat is available within the larger mapped habitat. In eastern Washington, good habitats in core zones were water/wetlands in steppe and Ponderosa Pine zones.

Washington breeders represent the nominate subspecies A. d. discors. Many west-side birds are summering non-breeders. Nesting of this eastern species in Washington has increased dramatically in the last century. Since 1900, when it was accidental in the state, this teal has established itself as a breeder and managed to increase such that it now outnumbers the Cinnamon Teal 2:1 in some areas of eastern Washington. The causes for this rapid increase are probably large damming projects and agricultural conversion in the 1950's, which inundated small wetlands and created large reservoirs, tipping the balance in favor of the Blue-winged Teal.

Translated from the Washington Gap Analysis Bird Volume by Uchenna Bright
Text edited by Gussie Litwer
Webpage designed by Dave Lester