Identification Tips:
Length: 11 inches Wingspan: 25 inches
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
In the Pacific Flyway, cinnamon teal are far more common than blue-wings. The hens look alike and the habits of both species are similar.
The pale blue forewing patch is the best field mark, as drakes are usually in eclipse until January or longer. Drakes have a whistling peep; hens utter a low quack.
