BirdAnalyst
Species · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Green-winged Teal

AnatidaeWaterfowlAnas crecca

Green-winged Teal has surged: up 236% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+236%Since 1968TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
661RoutesSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
58Years SurveyedYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

About the Green-winged Teal

The Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) is a North American member of the Ducks, Geese & Waterfowl (Anatidae). In this analysis it is grouped with the waterfowl.

Size
12–43.5 in long (30–110 cm) — a medium to large waterfowl (typical for the family)
Habitat
Lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes and sheltered coastal waters.
Diet
Aquatic plants, seeds and invertebrates, dabbled at the surface or dived for.
Range
Recorded on 661 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 30 states, most concentrated in the Great Basin.
Family
Anatidae · Waterfowl

Notable Green-winged Teal TrendsNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for Green-winged Teal. See the full index history below.

Green-winged Teal Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Green-winged Teal is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.10 (95% range 0.04–0.17). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±65.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+1%Change by 2029TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
0.10Projected 2029 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.04–0.1795% range95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
±65.9%Backtest errorBacktest errorTypical error when we hold out the most recent years, forecast them, and compare to what actually happened. Lower means a more trustworthy projection.Full methodology →
If the recent trend holds, Green-winged Teal is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.10 (95% range 0.04–0.17). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±65.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →95% low95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →95% high95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
20250.100.030.17
20260.100.040.17
20270.100.040.17
20280.100.040.17
20290.100.040.17

Where the Green-winged Teal Is Detected

BBS routes recording Green-winged Teal, sized by most recent count.

Green-winged Teal Population Trend by State

Green-winged Teal population trend by state.
TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
Alaska-52%198482
Arizonainsufficient datan/a5
California+235%197621
Colorado-36%197372
Idaho-65%198131
Illinoisinsufficient datan/a1
Indianainsufficient datan/a1
Iowainsufficient datan/a3
Kansas-72%19719
Maineinsufficient datan/a4
Michiganinsufficient datan/a7
Minnesota-48%197233
Missouriinsufficient datan/a1
Montana-24%197052
Nebraska-33%197913
Nevada-51%197314
New Hampshireinsufficient datan/a1
New Mexico-92%198510
New Yorkinsufficient datan/a6
North Dakota+160%196944
Oklahomainsufficient datan/a2
Oregon+52%197334
Pennsylvaniainsufficient datan/a2
South Dakota-33%196933
Texas-1%197512
Utah-78%197035
Vermontinsufficient datan/a1
Washington-62%197928
Wisconsin-5%197026
Wyoming-47%197178

Green-winged Teal Population Trend by Region

Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.

Green-winged Teal population trend by Bird Conservation Region.
TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
BCR 2-80%198622
BCR 3+232%19964
BCR 4+100%198447
Northern Pacific Rainforest-39%197920
Great Basin+69%197198
Northern Rockies-18%197697
Prairie Potholes+70%196981
Boreal Hardwood Transition-4%197322
Southern Rockies / Colorado Plateau-65%197081
Badlands and Prairies+12%196966
Shortgrass Prairie-11%196948
Central Mixed Grass Prairie-61%197113
Prairie Hardwood Transition-10%197032

Green-winged Teal Conservation Status

Our route-weighted index shows it up about 236% since 1968.

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.