Cinnamon teal Anas cyanoptera

Identification Tips:

• Length: 11 inches Wingspan: 25 inches
• Small dabbling duck
• Long bill is somewhat spatulate at tip
• Juvenile similar to adult female
• Pale blue upper secondary coverts
• Green speculum with white leading edge

Adult male alternate:

• Alternate plumage worn from fall-spring
• Red eyes
• Dark bill
• Bright cinnamon-red head, neck, flanks, and belly
• Dark brown back with pale edging
• Black undertail coverts

Adult male basic

• Similar to adult female but retains red eye and brighter forewing

Adult female:

• Gray bill
• Brown eyes
• Pale head
• Indistinct dark eye line and crown
• Indistinct pale eye ring and loral spot
• Mottled warm brown body plumage with darker back

Similar species:

Adult male in alternate plumage is unmistakable. Adult male in eclipse plumage is easily identified by the red eye. Adult females and immature distinguished from Green-winged Teal by size and wing pattern. Female, immature and eclipse male Blue-winged Teal are very similar but have a smaller bill without spatulate tip, and a more distinct facial pattern (pale loral spot and more distinct eye line).

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.