Cinnamon Teal

The cinnamon teal (Spatula cyanoptera) is a small, strikingly colored dabbling duck. The male is adorned with a rich cinnamon-red head and body, contrasted by a brown back, and features a red eye and a dark bill. The female, in comparison, sports a mottled brown body with a paler brown head, brown eyes, and a grey bill. She is distinguishable from her blue-winged teal counterpart by her richer overall color and less distinct facial markings, as well as a longer, more spatulate bill. Juvenile males resemble the female but can be identified by their red eyes.

Identification Tips

Adult males are easily identified by their cinnamon-red plumage and red eyes. Females and juveniles can be more challenging to distinguish but can be recognized by their mottled brown appearance and the shape of their bill. These birds measure approximately 16 inches in length, have a wingspan of 22 inches, and weigh around 14 ounces. They undergo two adult molts per year, with an additional molt in their first year.

Habitat

Cinnamon teals are found in marshes and ponds, where they thrive in the aquatic vegetation.

Distribution

These birds breed in marshes and ponds across the western United States and the extreme southwestern regions of Canada. They are rare visitors to the east coast of the United States. Cinnamon teals are migratory, with most wintering in northern South America and the Caribbean, though some spend the winter in California and southwestern Arizona. Notably, two subspecies inhabit the Andes of South America, with one found at lower elevations and the other at high altitudes in the central Andes.

Similar Species

The female cinnamon teal can be confused with the female blue-winged teal but can be differentiated by her richer coloration and the distinct shape of her bill.

Diet and Feeding

Cinnamon teals are dabbling ducks, feeding at the water's surface. They are predominantly herbivorous but may also consume molluscs and aquatic insects.

Conservation status

The cinnamon teal is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of population decline.