Teal question. Brevard Co. FL.

[cvanbosk]

Saw these two birds on Jan 1 at Merritt Island NWR. There have been reports of a Cinnamon X Blue Wing Teal hybrid. Could this be what the bird on the right is? And, can anything be said conclusively about the bird on the left?

[Birding Boy]

The bird on the right sure looks good for a hybrid to me. You can even see some of the BWTE facial markings showing up. I’m unsure about the left bird, female teal are not my strong point.

[cvanbosk]

32 minutes ago, Birding Boy said:

"female teal are not my strong point."

You and me both. The bill just looks large and "cinnamon-y" to me. (the bird on the left).

[Birding Boy]

2 hours ago, cvanbosk said:

You and me both. The bill just looks large and "cinnamon-y" to me. (the bird on the left).

And it seems to have a plainer face than a Blue-winged, it could definitely be another hybrid or a pure Cinnamon. Hopefully someone else with more experience can step in here.

[Seanbirds]

Bump?

[von Humboldt]

The male on the right has an incomplete but definite white crescent and a red or at least reddish eye. I would say that means it's a hybrid.  I agree the bill on the female looks like a  cinnamon teal but I don't know the slight variations in facial pattern well enough to make a definite call.

[AlexHenry]

The bird on the right is definitely a hybrid.

Teal sp. or Blue-winged/Cinnamon teal would be a fitting label for the bird on the left.