IBRC #71-B-09

Idaho Bird Records Committee Rarities Report Form

Species: Cinnamon Teal

Reporter:
Cliff Weisse
4125 Beaver Springs Rd.
Island Park, ID 83429
cliffandlisa@octobersetters.com

Other Observers: None

Date of Observation: 22 February 2009
Date Report Prepared: 13 December 2009

Locality of Observation: Fort Boise WMA, in the marsh on the south side of the road where you first hit the WMA headed west.

Habitat: Marsh

Conditions:  Dont remember.

Did you take notes… no

Did you consult a field guide or other reference work?   later the same day &  another day

Description: Small dabbling duck, obviously smaller than Mallards in direct comparison.  Overall drab mottled brown but with patches of bright rusty orange along flanks.  I fell this is a male molting from eclipse aspect plumage into breeding aspect plumage.  Although the photos are poor quality you can see the orange coming in on the flanks and make out the light blue wing coverts and blackish centered tertials with buffy edges.

Behavior: Foraging by swimming along and reaching under water with its bill in an area that contained a large concentration of waterfowl, most of which were geese.  Other ducks present included Mallard, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, and Northern Pintail.  

How did you eliminate similar species, and what were they?  No other species of duck has the orange colored flanks shown by this bird except male Hooded Merganser and male Ruddy Duck, both of which are diving ducks and both of which have extensive white patches on the head (Hooded Merganser) or face (Ruddy Duck).   Although this observation occurred during the winter season waterfowl migration was well under way and this was probably an early arrival rather than overwintering bird.  

Experience with this species: I see quite a few Cinnamon Teal every summer, most or all in breeding aspect plumage.

General experience birding: 16 years

Were photo(s), video, and/or audio obtained by you?  Yes

These images were cropped and lightened from the originals.  Click any image to view oringinal image.