# Cinnamon Teal (*Spatula cyanoptera*) The Cinnamon Teal is a beautiful duck with bright chestnut feathers and a lovely blue wing patch. They like to swim in shallow waters and can often be seen in wetlands. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 11 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Cinnamon Teal](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Cinnamon_teal_%2853706590927%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: USFWS - Pacific Region, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cinnamon_teal_%2853706590927%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Cinnamon Teal male is vibrant cinnamon-red with a distinctive dark eye patch, making him stand out. Females are mottled brown, offering excellent camouflage. Both sexes display brilliant sky-blue wing patches visible when in flight. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Anseriformes - **Family:** Anatidae - **Genus:** Spatula ## Interesting facts - Baby teal can swim and find food hours after hatching. - Male Cinnamon Teals boast vibrant feathers! - Their bright blue wings flash like jewels in the sun. - They are speedy flyers, migrating thousands of miles. ## Special abilities - **Quick Take-Off:** Cinnamon Teal can burst into flight instantly, helping them escape predators quickly. - **Dabbling Bill:** Cinnamon Teal has a special bill that helps them filter tiny food from the water's surface. - **Nesting Camouflage:** Cinnamon Teal females build hidden nests in dense plants, keeping their eggs safe from harm. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 35-43 cm - **Wingspan:** 56-66 cm - **Weight:** 0.28-0.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 70 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 8-12 - **Incubation:** 21-25 days - **Migration Distance:** 2000 km ## Diet & Feeding These ducks feast on tiny water bugs, insect larvae, and plant seeds from shallow waters. - **Age differences:** Young ducklings eat more protein-rich insects for growth. - **Primary Foods:** Aquatic insects, Crustaceans, Snails, Pondweed seeds, Sedge seeds - **Foraging Method:** Filter feeding ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Peregrine Falcon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/peregrine-falcon) (*Falco peregrinus*) — A top predator, it hunts adult ducks. - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — Coyotes can prey on ducks near wetlands. - **Eaten by:** [Gopher Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gopher-snake) (*Pituophis catenifer*) — These snakes may eat eggs or young ducklings. - **Eats:** Water Flea (*Daphnia pulex*) — Tiny crustaceans that are a vital food source. - **Eats:** Backswimmer (*Notonecta undulata*) — Common aquatic insect eaten by the teal. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Filter Feeder](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/filter-feeder): Filter feeders obtain nutrients by straining suspended food particles and small organisms from water. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Cinnamon Teal? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Cinnamon Teal? 35-43 cm ### What is Cinnamon Teal's wingspan? 56-66 cm ### How much does Cinnamon Teal weigh? 0.28-0.5 kg ### How long does Cinnamon Teal live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Cinnamon Teal move? 70 km/h ### What does Cinnamon Teal eat? These ducks feast on tiny water bugs, insect larvae, and plant seeds from shallow waters. ### Where is Cinnamon Teal usually found? Wetlands ## Where to spot - [Eden Landing Ecological Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/eden-landing-ecological-reserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Jackson Lake Lodge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jackson-lake-lodge) — Wyoming, US · Historic Site - [P Ranch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/p-ranch) — Oregon, US · Historic Site - [Sod House Ranch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sod-house-ranch) — Oregon, US · Historic Site - [Aquarium of the Pacific](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/aquarium-of-the-pacific-us) — US · Zoo - [Drumheller Channels National Natural Landmark](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/drumheller-channels-national-natural-landmark) — Washington, US · Nature Reserve [View all places to see Cinnamon Teal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/cinnamon-teal) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Cinnamon Teal: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cinnamon-teal)