Photo and text by Dr. Gary Grantham

Cinnamon Teal

(Anas cyanoptera)

The uniform dark cinnamon-red head and body color, patches of which show even before the fall molt is complete, readily identify the male.  Females cannot be distinguished with certainty from female Blue-winged Teal.  Cinnamon Teal can be found in the Los PeñasquitosLagoon primarily from September through April, but it is one of only a few duck species where a few individuals will remain even during the summer months.  It is seldom seen in large flocks and is more commonly seen in pairs or small groups.