The Cinnamon Teal is a small dabbling duck found primarily in western North America. The male has beautiful reddish-brown plumage on its body, while the female is mottled brown. Cinnamon Teal prefer shallow wetlands and marshes, where they feed on aquatic invertebrates and vegetation.
Cinnamon Teal are classified as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. However, their populations have declined in some areas due to habitat loss and degradation. So just how rare are Cinnamon Teal? Let’s take a closer look at their population numbers and distribution to find out.
Cinnamon Teal Population Numbers
According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, there are approximately 710,000 Cinnamon Teal in North America (1). Their total global population is estimated at 3.1 to 4.2 million individuals (2).
Here are some key population figures for Cinnamon Teal:
North American population estimate | 710,000 |
Percentage population decline (1966-2015) | 32% |
Estimated global population | 3.1 – 4.2 million |
So while Cinnamon Teal numbers may seem high overall, their population has declined significantly in North America over the past 50 years. Habitat loss on their breeding grounds is one of the major threats contributing to this decline.
Cinnamon Teal Breeding Range and Habitat
Cinnamon Teal have a relatively small breeding range confined to western North America (3). Here is a map of their breeding distribution:
Key areas where Cinnamon Teal breed include:
- Intermountain basins in the western United States
- Prairie pothole region of the Great Plains
- Boreal forest and parklands of northcentral Canada
- Narrow coastal regions of Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and California
Within these regions, Cinnamon Teal select shallow freshwater wetlands for breeding. Some key nesting habitats include (4):
- Marsh edges with emergent vegetation
- Wet meadows
- Flooded grasslands
- Beaver ponds
These wetland habitats have been greatly reduced and degraded, contributing to the Cinnamon Teal’s population decline. For example, it’s estimated 50-90% of natural wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region have been drained and converted to agriculture (5).
Cinnamon Teal Wintering Range
During the non-breeding season, Cinnamon Teal shift south to warmer climates in the southern United States and Mexico. Here is a map of their winter range:
Some of the key wintering areas include (6):
- Central Valley of California
- Coastal regions of Texas and Louisiana
- Gulf Coast of Mexico
- Baja California Peninsula
Threats on the wintering grounds include habitat loss, degradation and disturbance. For example, 90% of coastal wetlands have been lost in California (7).
Legal Protections
Despite population declines, Cinnamon Teal have relatively few formal legal protections. They are considered a game species in most U.S. states and Canadian provinces (8).
Key conservation policies include:
- Covered under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the U.S. and Canada – prohibits harming or killing individuals and eggs.
- State-level bag limits and hunting season regulations.
- Some protected areas like national wildlife refuges provide sanctuary.
More habitat protections and restoration efforts are likely needed to reverse Cinnamon Teal declines.
Comparison to Other Waterfowl
How do Cinnamon Teal numbers and population trends compare to other North American duck species? Here is a table comparing key stats:
Species | Population | Trend | Threat Level |
---|---|---|---|
Cinnamon Teal | 710,000 | 32% decline | Least Concern |
Mallard | 11 million | Stable | Least Concern |
Northern Pintail | 3.2 million | 66% decline | Least Concern |
Canvasback | 700,000 | 39% decline | Least Concern |
While not as rare as some species like Canvasbacks, Cinnamon Teal have suffered steeper declines compared to more abundant ducks like Mallards. Their small overall population and declining trends are concerning.
Efforts to Increase Populations
Various conservation initiatives are underway to try and reverse Cinnamon Teal population declines:
Habitat Restoration
Restoring degraded wetlands and nesting cover on breeding and migration grounds. For example, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act has helped fund over 2,500 restoration projects benefiting Cinnamon Teal (9).
Protected Areas
Establishing more wildlife refuges and protected wetlands within their range. These provide safe nesting habitat free of disturbance.
Sustainable Agriculture
Promoting agricultural practices that are wildlife-friendly, such as retaining small wetlands and upland habitat on farms. Grazing management that maintains nesting cover has also benefited Cinnamon Teal (10).
Hunting Regulations
Setting appropriate bag limits and season dates to limit over-hunting. Closing hunting in key breeding areas can help population recovery.
If these conservation efforts can be expanded, they may help restore Cinnamon Teal to more robust population levels in the future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Cinnamon Teal have a relatively small overall population of around 700,000 in North America, and have suffered concerning declines of over 30% in the past 50 years. Their small breeding range concentrated in vulnerable wetland habitats of the western U.S. and Canada puts them at elevated risk.
While Cinnamon Teal numbers are still in the millions globally, ongoing habitat loss and degradation continue to pose threats. Expanded conservation efforts targeting protection and restoration of essential wetland ecosystems will be key to recovering Cinnamon Teal populations in the future. Their specialized habitat needs and limited range make them more vulnerable to extinction than generalist and widespread ducks like Mallards. Careful monitoring and management of Cinnamon Teal will be needed going forward to ensure the species’ long-term survival.