Q: Dear Owlie,
A couple months ago you taught us about one of your favorite
animals at the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park – the American Coot!
Can you please tell us about another animal we might expect to see at the park?
I’m looking forward to visiting again soon! Thank you Owlie!
Sincerely,
Wetland Fanatic
A: Dear Wetland Fanatic,
I’d love to! This month let’s talk about a duck called the
Cinnamon Teal!
Like Mallard ducks, male Cinnamon Teals look visibly
different than female Cinnamon Teals. Males are a cinnamon color with red eyes
and a black beak while females have brown colored feathers in order to
camouflage with her surroundings- something that helps protect herself and her
babies. In fact, females are so protective of their offspring that they may put
on something called a “broken wing act” to distract prey from their young.
While Cinnamon Teals do not migrate very far, they may migrate to new locations
daily. However, they love being close to water so the Chino Creek Wetlands is
the perfect spot for them!