Cinnamon teal
Anas cyanoptera
Identification Tips:
- 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).