Cinnamon TealCinnamon Teal -- South Dakota Birds
| Length: 15 - 17 inches | Wingspan: 24 - 30 inches | Seasonality: Migrant/Summer |
| ID Keys: Rich cinnamon body and head on male unmistakable. Fairly long blackish spatulate bill. | ||
Cinnamon Teal
Anas cyanoptera
The Cinnamon Teal is an easily recognized dabbling duck of the western United States, with the male having rich cinnamon hues on it's body and head. They are closely related to the Blue-winged Teal, and will sometimes hybridize with them. They have more spatulate bills than their close cousins, however, although not as extreme as the Northern Shoveler's bill.
Habitat: Prefers shallow marshes and ponds in open country during breeding season. Can be found in nearly any shallow-water aquatic habitat during migration and in winter, including salt-water habitats.
Diet: Primarily feeds on the seeds of sedges, grasses, smartweeds, and aquatic plants. Will also feed on other plant material, insects, small crustaceans, and small mollusks.
Nesting: April through June
Breeding Map: Breeding Bird Survey map
Song: Weak whistling by the male, a typical quack from the female.
Migrations: Summers throughout the western United States. Winters along the California coast, locally in the extreme Southwest, Mexico, and Central America.
Similar Species: Males distinctive, but females are extremely similar to female Blue-winged Teal.
Status: Has undoubtedly declined from historic numbers due to loss of wetland habitat.
Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Cinnamon Teal
2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Cinnamon Teal"
Photo Information: Captive bird, taken at Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha -- Terry Sohl
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| South Dakota Status: Rare spring migrant and summer resident, most common in the western part of the state. |
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Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl
This page was last edited on 02/03/08
