Cinnamon Teal

Scientific name: Anas cyanoptera
Family: Anatidae
Order: Anseriformes
Class: Aves

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

The Cinnamon Teals physical characteristics vary, and is dependent on the sex and age of the bird. Other slight variations may also be seen in the different sub-species that exist. In general, the adult male averages 340 grams, and grows to the length of 41 centimeters. The wing length of the bird is 19 centimeters. The color of the head, neck and under-parts are purplish chestnut. The abdomen and under-tail coverts are a dark brown. On the fore-back, is a lighter shade of brown, which is crossed by brown bars. The lower back and rump are greenish brown, and the wing coverts a cobalt-blue. Shoulder feather colors vary; in some birds, the outer web is blue with a yellow center stripe. In others, its dark green with a center stripe. The speculum is a bright green, and the bill is described as dusky. The eyes are represented by distinctive reddish colored irises, which are present after about 8 weeks of age. The adult female and juveniles resemble the female Blue-winged Teal (Anas discor) except for minor differences. There are five sub-species of the Cinnamon Teal, and each has evolved in different ways. Anas c. orinomus is the largest form of the cinnamon teal, and also possesses the longest bill. When comparing A. c. cyanoptera with A. c. septentrionalium; the South American male is a slightly brighter red. Anas c. tropica is the smallest form, and the males are spotted on their breasts, sides, flanks, and vents. Anas c. borreroi are similar to A. c. tropica except that only about 50% of the males have the spotted markings, and they are darker than A. c. cyanoptera. The Cinnamon Teal is considered to be a median between the blue-winged teal (Anas discor) and the red shoveler (Anas platalea). Hybrids have occurred between these species, and they are known to be fertile.

DISTRIBUTION and HABITAT:

The most common sub-species, A. c. septentrionalium, is located in North America, and the largest concentration can be seen in the western portion of the United States. They also inhabit the southern areas of British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, Canada. In Central America, they can be seen in Mexico, and as far south as Guatemala. The subspecies, A. c. orinomus is located in high elevations of Peru and Bolivia. One can find A. c. cyanoptera making its home in the southern third of South America and the Falklands Islands. Anas. c. borreroi resides in the lowlands of Columbia, but at the present time it has a reduced population, and may be at risk of extinction. Cinnamon Teal prefer shallow ponds, lakes, and marshes with alkaline water, which are bordered by low herbaceous growth.

BEHAVIOR:

This species generally can be found in small flocks, made up of paired birds. Pair bonding takes place in the wintering area, and is renewed each year. The flocks increase in size during the spring migration, where upwards of twenty birds in each group can be seen. During mating season, courtship starts with mutual head bobbing between paired birds. The bills are either level or in a slight downward position. Next the male will utter a loud sound, and become motionless; he will either be parallel or facing the female during these few seconds. Once copulation is complete, the male will swim away with his head turned around facing the female.

DIET:

Cinnamon Teal are primarily herbivores, and feed by dabbling from the surface. This form of feeding consists of tipping up in shallow water or probing the mud to attain food. Their diet consists of seeds from bulrushes, pond weeds, and horn weeds. They also partake in small amounts of mollusks, beetles, fly larvae, and damsel flies.

REPRODUCTION and GROWTH:

Females will construct a bowl-shaped nest, by using dead grass and plant stems. The nests measure about 20 centimeters in diameter, and about 7 centimeters in depth. Once the nest is complete, the female will lay between 4-16 pinkish-buff colored eggs; this is done in a 1-3 day time period. Soon after the start of incubation, the male departs the nest, leaving the female to spend between 21-25 days incubating their eggs. Once the eggs are hatched, the Cinnamon Teal has proven to be a very good mothers. They tend to keep the brood near to escape cover; this is done so that if there are signs of trouble, the young have a place to hide. In situations of danger, the mother will fake an injury so to draw attention to herself, thereby creating more time for her brood to escape. In captivity, juvenile feathering is nearly complete at six weeks. Soon after the seventh week, they are capable of flight. During this period, the eyes of the males turn from brown to red. Maturity is reached by one year, and is evident by the start of the Cinnamon Teals breeding cycle.

CONSERVATION STATUS:

The Cinnamon Teal is not considered an endangered species, but is protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty.

Wild Population: