Blue-winged x Cinnamon Teal (Spatula discors x cyanoptera), Mormon Lake, Coconino County

This apparent Blue-winged x Cinnamon Teal was found and photographed by Caleb Strand on 10 July 2019

A fairly common hybrid combination.

Intermediate between Blue-winged and Cinnamon teals, with the cinnamon flanks and breast and fairly large spatulate bill of a Cinnamon Teal, and the spotted flanks, bluish eye patch, and white flank patch (though tinged red) of Blue-winged Teal. The expression of the white facial crescent of Blue-winged Teal is quite variable in this hybrid combination; a tan patch extending well back onto the face is a common variation.

10 July 2019, photo by Caleb Strand

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