CINNAMON TEAL

Anas Cynanoptera

Class: Aves

Order: Anceriformes

Family: Anatidae

DISTRIBUTION: Western Unidted States; rare east of the rockies.

HABITAT: Shallow freshwater lakes and ponds, sluggish creeks; prefers alkaline marshes.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Males have a rich cinnamon-brown plumage on head and uderparts; wings and back are blue. Females are motteld brown with blue on the wing patches and green speculum. Males are larger than females.

LONGEVITY: Approximately 20 years.

SPECIAL ADAPTATIONS:

HABITS: Occur in single pairs in mating season and family groups in fall. Cinnamon Teals are fairly tame and allow close approach.

REPRODUCTION: Nests are placed on high ground and are concealed by tall grass, cattails or reeds. The eggs are pinkish to white, 9-12 to a clutch, and laid in early April to mid-July. Incubation time is 21-25 days.

POPULATION STATUS: Up to 100 pairs of Cimmanom Teals can be found nesting on one square mile of prime habitat in marshes. Almost half of the North American population nests in Utah where theyare subject to heavy predation by California Gulls.

DIET: Seeds of sedges, pondweeds, grasses, and smartweeds. Also rice, corn, small mollusks and aquatic insects.

NOTES OF INTEREST: Besides the Ruddy Duck and Whistling Ducks, the Cinnamon Teal is the only waterfowl to nest in both North and South America. Flight speed has been timed at 32-59 mph.