Cinnamon Teal Spatula cyanoptera x Blue-winged Teal Spatula discors hybrid

Both species were formerly placed in the genus Anas.

This can be a naturally-occurring hybrid in both North America where both species are common but is also frequent in captivity.

This tame bird undoubtedly originated in captivity (Blue-winged Teal is a very rare vagrant in the UK and Cinnamon Teal hasn't been accepted as occurring here naturally, though it probably has; both parent species are popular in captivity). It was seen displaying vigourously, sometimes on its own, sometimes with Mallards but most often to a female Mandarin.

escaped male Cinnamon Teal x Blue-winged Teal hybrid, Rollesby Broad (Norfolk, UK), 14th April 2017

It was such a lovely bird I couldn't help but go back for seconds...

escaped male Cinnamon Teal x Blue-winged Teal hybrid, Rollesby Broad (Norfolk, UK), 22nd April 2017

For comparison, here are photos of the parent species.

captive Cinnamon Teal, Blakeney quayside collection (Norfolk, UK), 26th October 2016 and captive Blue-winged Teal, Martin Mere (Lancashire, UK), 16th December 2014

For more photos of these species follow the links below:

• Cinnamon Teal
• Blue-winged Teal