These early migrants to the Gulf Coast begin arriving in early August, and many don’t depart for their northern breeding grounds until April. Due to high numbers (6 million bird average), a special September season and liberal limits, the blue-winged teal is a favorite of coastal hunters. Despite their September eclipse plumage, blue-winged teal are easily recognizable in flight due to the flash of their blue-gray wing coverts. Blue-wings decoy well and respond readily to a call

• Habitat: Their preferred habitat is shallowly flooded wetlands where they feed on small seeds, algae, duckweeds, pondweeds and grasses.
• Interesting Fact: According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Louisiana hunters harvested 633,760 blue-wings during the 2013 season.