Northern Pintail

Anas acuta

Family: Ducks, Swans, and Geese · Status: Vagrant · Size: 51–56 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Breeds across the Palearctic from Iceland and Scandinavia east to Kamchatka, and across much of North America; winters south to equatorial Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, southern China, Korea, Japan, Indochina, and the Philippines.

Identification

Both sexes share a slim profile with a long, narrow neck and pointed tail. Breeding male has a chocolate-brown head and neck, white stripe down the neck-sides, grey-vermiculated upperparts, and elongated black central tail feathers. Eclipse male resembles female but has greyer tones, a more heavily marked head, and darker central tail. Female has a plain grayish-brown head and neck, brownish scalloped upperparts, and a shorter pointed tail; bill duller and grey without a dark culmen stripe. Juvenile resembles female but is darker and more spotted below, with a duller speculum.

Habitat

Lakes, rivers, marshes, tidal flats, and other wetland habitats.

Behaviour

Dabbles in shallow water, feeding on vegetation and invertebrates.