Cinnamon teal - not your average brown duck

Photographed April 4 at Carney Pond in Kelowna.  First time I have seen this species.

One of the nice things about using bird field guides is that you get to peruse all kinds of birds, not just the one species you are interested in.  This has the advantage of allowing yourself to become familiar with a variety of species, not just one in particular.  Although I have never seen a cinnamon teal before, I knew immediately that it was one because I have seen many images of it when scouring through my bird identification guides.

The male duck's colour is somewhat unique in that the shade of brown it sports is almost orange.  Calling it an orange duck wouldn't really work, though, because there is a particular dinner dish with that name (although it is worded in French).  And the name "brown duck" does it such a disservice, although the female could be equipped with that moniker.  I have a photo of the pair below.

Male and female cinnamon teal ducks

Cinnamon teal ducks breed in this area, so this pair may be here for the duration, or they may choose to move on to different pastures.  They will eventually migrate south of the US border.  

Carney Pond is located alongside the Okanagan Rail Trail just south of UBCO.  It is the first time I have visited there; getting there can only be done along the rail trail as there is no road access.  The pond itself is rather substantial; it is larger than the ponds I frequently visit, including both Munson Pond and Knox Mountain Pond about 2 km from my home.  I will include a photo of the pond below.

Carney Pond, Kelowna.  Photographed with my iPhone 15.

I will write another blog on the habits of cinnamon teals another day.

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com



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