Taxonomy
The placement of the Blue-winged Teal in the genus Anas is by no means certain; a member of the "blue-winged" group also including the shovelers, it may be better placed with them in a separate genus Spatula. It is not a teal in the strict sense, and also does not seem closely related to the Garganey as was for some time believed. Indeed, its color pattern is strikingly reminiscent of the Australasian Shoveler. DNA analysis of this species has revealed it is very close genetically to the Cinnamon Teal, another American teal with blue wings.
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