LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Cinnamon Teal, Anas cyanoptera

2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate plumage):  1 male

3. Locality: LOUISIANA: (parish)  Cameron Parish

Specific Locality: Cameron Prairie NWR HQ

4. Date(s) when observed: December 18, 2011

5. Time(s) of day when observed: mid-morning

6. Reporting observer and address:

Paul Conover

Lafayette, LA

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): Mac Myers (finder), Billy Leonard

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s):

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):  Full sun, from off to our side; good light for viewing.

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Zeiss 10s, Nikon 20-60 scope, point and shoot camera

11. Distance to bird(s): about 150 yards

12. Duration of observation:  20 minutes 

13. Habitat: Open flooded field with dead grass on edges and in patches throughout.

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation:  Feeding, preening, took off at least once when Bald Eagle flushed the 100s of ducks on the pond, but returned.

15. Description (include only what was actually seen, not what "should" have been seen; include if possible: total length/relative size compared to other familiar species, body bulk, shape, proportions, bill, eye, leg, and plumage characteristics. Stress features that separate it from similar species):

A standard winter male Cinnamon Teal. Small duck, overall deep red. Head and breast deeper, darker red than sides, which were a bright red. Back contrasted slightly with sides (finely mottled pale and dark mantle looked grayish from distance). Straw-colored scapulars, dark rear end, and pale tail. Head deep red, with darker stripe down crown. Eye red, bill black. Legs yellow, seen when preening.

16. Voice: None noted 

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation):

Hybrid Cinnamon X Blue-winged Teal must be eliminated. None of the visible features showed any sign of hybridization or anything other than typical Cinnamon Teal markings.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): Photos, attached.

19. Previous experience with this species:  Yes, fairly extensive and recent.

20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other birders, etc. used in identification):

a. at time of observation:

b. after observation:

21. This description is written from: memory and photos  

22. Are you positive of your identification if not, explain: Yes.

23. Date: 12/24/2011