The diminutive cinnamon teal (Anas cyanoptera) is a dabbling that lives in southwestern Canada, the western United States, and across western South America. It is unique for having two separate North American and South American populations. It also generally avoids breeding in the mid-continental prairie region—an otherwise popular breeding ground for dabbling ducks.
Approximately 40 centimetres long and weighing about 400 grams, the male has a cinnamon-coloured head and body with light blue patches on its upper wings. The trailing edge of their wings is iridescent green. It also has bright red eyes. The females are brownish grey with red undertones and have a dark bill and dark eyes. Like the males, the females have patches of light blue on their upper wings. Immature males bear the same colouring as females, but have red eyes.
In western Canada, cinnamon teals summer in wetlands, including marshes, ponds, and small lakes. Generally choosing a new mate each season, they nest near water in small grass-lined depressions that are well camouflaged by layers of vegetation. The female works her way through this protective camouflage to get to her nest. Here, she will lay a clutch of up to 16 ivory-coloured eggs. At the end of the season, the ducks migrate to Mexico, California, and Arizona.
Specifications
No. 132478
Mintage 17500
Composition cupronickel
Finish specimen
Weight (g) 13.7
Diameter (mm) 35
Edge plain
Certificate serialized
Face value 25 cents
Artist Denis Mayer Jr. (reverse), Susanna Blunt (obverse)