Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera

This species occurs naturally in western North America but has not been officially accepted as having occurred naturally in the UK. Although it is certainly a potential vagrant, the species is common in captivity and the majority of records are presumed to relate to escaped individuals. This drake appeared at one of the most north-westerly points of the British Isles at a time when several North American wildfowl were present in the country. As such it probably has the best credentials for being a wild bird as any unringed bird will ever have. However it is still viewed with skepticism by many and I imagine it is unlikely to gain acceptance as a genuinely wild bird. By chance I happened to be holidaying in Scotland at the time but was only able to take the following appalling photos from a great distance and in adverse weather conditions.

Cinnamon Teal, Loch Tuamister, 16-May-04 Cinnamon Teal, Loch Tuamister, 16-May-04 Cinnamon Teal, Loch Tuamister, 16-May-04

male Cinnamon Teal, Loch Tuamister (Lewis, Outer Hebrides, UK), 16th May 2004

 

The following slightly better (well, some of them anyway) photographs were taken within the species' normal range in North America:

Cinnamon Teal, Reifel, 8-Sep-06 Cinnamon Teal, Reifel, 8-Sep-06

Cinnamon Teals, Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary (BC, Canada), 8th September 2006

 

Cinnamon Teal, Ramer Lake, 22-Apr-05 Cinnamon Teal, Ramer Lake, 22-Apr-05

female and male Cinnamon Teals, Ramer Lake (California, USA), 22nd April 2005

 

Cinnamon Teal, Limantour Beach, 2-May-05 Cinnamon Teal, Limantour Beach, 2-May-05

male Cinnamon Teal, Limantour Beach (California, USA), 2nd May 2005