Handsome and generally common dabbling duck of wetlands, lakes, and river mouths. Sexes look alike with a bright yellow bill (duller for a short while on young birds), a plain and rather “soft-faced” brown head, and dark-mottled sides. Also note its elegant shape with a slender neck and long pointed tail. Yellow-billed Teal look somewhat similar (and often occurs in same areas) but Yellow-billed Teal are smaller and more compact with a darker head and plain grayish sides.