Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera
This species occurs naturally in western North America but has not been officially accepted as having occurred naturally in the UK. Although it is certainly a potential vagrant, the species is common in captivity and the majority of records are presumed to relate to escaped individuals. This drake appeared at one of the most north-westerly points of the British Isles at a time when several North American wildfowl were present in the country. As such it probably has the best credentials for being a wild bird that any unringed bird will ever have. However it is still viewed with scepticism by many and I imagine it is unlikely to gain acceptance as a genuinely wild bird. By chance I happened to be holidaying in Scotland at the time but was only able to take the following appalling photos from a great distance and in adverse weather conditions.
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male Cinnamon Teal, Loch Tuamister (Lewis, Outer Hebrides, UK), 16th May 2004
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The next few photographs were taken within the species' normal range in North America, and below them a pair of captive birds.
