Male cinnamon teal, particularly in breeding plumage, are striking with their bright cinnamon-red heads, chests, and flanks, contrasting with a dark back and a pale blue patch on the forewing. Females are a mottled brown color, similar to female blue-winged teal, but tend to have a richer brown coloration, a slightly longer and wider bill, and less distinct markings on their face.

Male Cinnamon Teal (Breeding Plumage):
• Head and Body: Rich cinnamon-red, often described as rusty or reddish-brown.
• Back: Blackish.
• Wings: Pale blue patch on the forewing (upper secondary coverts), a green speculum (the colored patch on the trailing edge of the wing), and a white leading edge.
• Eyes: Red.
• Bill: Black.
• Legs and Feet: Yellow.
• Non-breeding Plumage: Males molt into a more subdued, mottled brown plumage, often resembling the female, but their red eyes can help with identification.

Female Cinnamon Teal:
• Head and Body: Mottled brown, with darker streaks or spots, especially on the breast and flanks.
• Wings: Similar to the male, with a pale blue patch on the forewing and a green speculum.
• Eyes: Brown.
• Bill: Grey.
• Face: Tends to have a plainer face with less distinct markings, such as eyelines or eye rings.
• Bill: Slightly longer and wider than the female blue-winged teal.

Key Differences to Note:
• Plumage: The most obvious difference is the bright cinnamon-red of the breeding male compared to the mottled brown of the female.
• Bill Shape: The female cinnamon teal has a slightly longer and wider bill than the female blue-winged teal.
• Eye Color: The male has red eyes, while the female's are brown.