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Platte River Status: An abundant migrant, uncommon summer resident, and casual winter resident, particularly in the eastern half of the study area. Occurrence dates at the Mormon Island Crane Meadows, Hall County, extend from 27 February to 3 October. Tout (1947) recorded green-winged teal in Lincoln County during 23 February to 6 June, and 8 August to 26 November. Rosche (1979) considered green-winged teal primarily a migrant in the lower North Platte River Valley, present 10 March to 4 June, and 20 August to 6 November; Rosche provided 4 records suggesting occasional winter residence.

Breeding Range: An uncommon to rare summer resident in the Sandhills, Platte River Valley, and in the Rainwater Basin area of the Eastern Plain. Our study area is at the extreme southern limits of this species nesting range.

Breeding Population: The population was estimated at 162 breeding pairs in 1979-1980. One green-winged teal pair was found on the Waterfowl Production Areas in the Rainwater Basin in 1983 (USFWS files).

Habitat: Prairie wetlands supported a mean density of 0.7 pairs per km². Wetlands adjacent to extensive grassland areas appear to be preferred in our study area. Faanes (1982) recorded green-winged teal primarily on semipermanent wetlands on a central North Dakota study area. Kantrud and Stewart (1977) reported that highest nesting densities of green-winged teal in North Dakota were associated with seasonal wetlands (13.1 pairs/km²).

Effect of Habitat Alteration: The destruction of wetlands throughout the study area has had an adverse impact on this species by reducing important migration habitat particularly vital in the spring.

Nesting Data: We have 2 confirmed records of nests or eggs from the study area. Lingle found an adult with 10 young at the Mormon Island perserve on 4 June 1986. A second adult with a brood was found in a wetland on the Taylor Ranch in Hall county on 22 July 1985. Egg dates in North Dakota extend from 7 May to 28 July (Stewart 1975).