Spatula cyanoptera
The Cinnamon Teal (*Spatula cyanoptera*) is a strikingly beautiful dabbling duck, named for the male's vibrant, uniform reddish-brown plumage during breeding season. Males, or drakes, are unmistakable with their rich cinnamon body, bright red eyes, and a dark bill, typically measuring around 41 cm (16 in) in length with a wingspan of 56-61 cm (22-24 in) and weighing about 350-500 g (12-18 oz). Females, or hens, are mottled brown, resembling a female Blue-winged Teal but often with a slightly ...
This species primarily inhabits shallow freshwater marshes, reedy ponds, and slow-moving streams, particularly those with dense emergent vegetation for cover. It prefers low-lying wetlands, but can be found up to moderate elevations.
Their diet consists primarily of aquatic invertebrates, including insects and their larvae, crustaceans, and mollusks, supplemented by a significant amount of plant material like seeds, stems, and tubers, obtained by dabbling.
Cinnamon Teals are diurnal, actively foraging during the day and often congregating in mixed-species flocks for communal roosting on open water at night. Foraging involves typical dabbling duck behavior, such as head-dipping and filter-feeding in shallow water, sometimes 'tipping up' to reach sub...
The Cinnamon Teal exhibits a broad distribution across the Americas. Its primary breeding range extends through western North America, from southwestern Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan) south through the western United States (especially California, the Great Basin, and Rocky Moun...
Least Concern
- The Cinnamon Teal is one of only two dabbling duck species with a breeding range spanning both North and South America. - The male's brilliant cinnamon plumage is among the most striking and uniform coloration found in any North American duck. - Despite their vibrant appearance, female Cinnamon...