
With its thin bill curving up to a round head, long neck, slender body, and long tail, this dabbling duck can usually be identified by shape alone. Male: Chocolate brown head with a bluish bill. The white of the breast extends in a distinctive line up the sides of the neck. The underparts are white. The back and sides are mostly gray. Tail feathers form a long spike which gives the species its name. In Summer and early Fall adult males assume a cryptic female-like appearance.Female: Warm brown with darker mottling, lighter head and neck, and white belly. The speculum is brown and inconspicuous. The tail, while shorter than that of males, is still significantly longer that those of other species. The bill is dark gray.
Length: 53 (cm) Wingspan: 74 (cm)
Voice:
Male gives a short whistling call during courtship. Female gives a weak quack.
Habitat:
Shallow wetlands, flooded fields, estuaries, agricultural fields.
Behavior:
Nesting often occurs a considerable distance from water. The birds’ preference for short grasslands and agricultural fields makes nests especially vulnerable to predators and farm equipment.
Feeding:
Feeds on grains in fields. Dabbles for aquatic plant seeds and invertebrates. Occasionally dives.
Field Notes
Expanded Life History
Feed Ecology And Diet | Contribute Content |
Nesting Habits | Contribute Content |
Migration Status | Contribute Content |
Conservation Status | Contribute Content |
Local Sites to Spot | Contribute Content |
Abundance Status | Contribute Content |
Adult Male Description | Contribute Content |
Adult Female Description | Contribute Content |
ITIS Taxonomic Number | Contribute Content |
Sonogram | Contribute Content |
Courtship | Contribute Content |
Reproductive Characteristics | Contribute Content |
Relationship to Humans | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Size & Shape | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Color & Pattern | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Habitat | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Behavior | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Wingspan | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Weight | Contribute Content |
Breeding | Contribute Content |
Cool Facts | Contribute Content |
Local Knowledge | Contribute Content |
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Sightings
Date | Submitted By | Count |
---|---|---|
09/25/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
09/18/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
09/11/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
09/11/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
09/04/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
09/04/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
08/28/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
08/28/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
08/28/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
06/12/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
06/12/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
05/01/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
05/01/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
04/03/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
09/26/17 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
Recent Activity
Activity | Date & Time |
---|---|
Dave Irons added Northern Pintail to their Koll Wetlands smart list | 9/13/2013 at 10:19PM |
Dave Irons added Northern Pintail to their Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge smart list | 1/07/2012 at 3:51PM |
Grant Canterbury added Northern Pintail to their Rentenaar Road smart list | 12/19/2011 at 5:53PM |
Jacob Parks added Northern Pintail to their Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge smart list | 11/02/2011 at 1:49AM |
Dan Mitchell added Northern Pintail to their Phoenix Zoo smart list | 7/10/2011 at 8:11PM |