ExploreBirds

Long-tailed Duck

Clangula hyemalis

The Long-tailed Duck is a beautiful bird known for its long, flowing tail and colorful feathers. These ducks love to swim in cold waters and dive deep to find tasty food like fish and shellfish.

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The Long-tailed Duck has a unique appearance with its striking white, black, and brown plumage, which changes throughout the year. Males boast an exceptionally long, pointed tail streamer, distinguishing them from other ducks. Their white flanks, dark back, and contrasting cheek patches are also very distinctive.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderAnseriformesFamilyAnatidaeGenusClangula
Long-tailed Duck
feathered trait badgesocial trait badgeaerial trait badgecolorful trait badge
Long-tailed Duck

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Long-tailed Ducks change their feather colors three times a year, more than most birds!

Male Long-tailed Ducks have tail feathers that can grow almost as long as their body!

Their loud, yodeling call can be heard for over a mile across the water!

They spend more time diving underwater than they do resting on the surface!

Special abilities

Ability

Super Deep Diver

Long-tailed Duck can dive deeper than most ducks because of their dense bones and strong muscles, that helps them hunt for food far underwater.

Ability

Cold Water Wonder

Long-tailed Duck can survive freezing waters because of their thick layers of down feathers and fat, that helps them stay warm in icy environments.

Ability

Underwater Flyer

Long-tailed Duck can 'fly' underwater because of their powerful wings, that helps them chase agile prey with incredible speed and agility.

Measurements & details

Length
40-60 cm
Wingspan
70-80 cm
Weight
0.5-1 kg
Lifespan
10-20 years
Top Speed
70 km/h
Clutch Size
6-8
Incubation
26-29 days
Migration Distance
3000 km

Diet & Feeding

These expert divers mostly eat small marine animals found deep underwater.

Age differences: Young ducklings eat mostly insects; adults switch to marine invertebrates and fish.

Primary Foods

  • mollusks
  • crustaceans
  • small fish
  • aquatic insects

Foraging Method

  • Pursuit

Ecological connections

eaten by

Arctic Fox

Vulpes lagopus

preys on eggs and ducklings

eaten by

Glaucous Gull

Larus hyperboreus

opportunistically eats eggs and young

hunts

Common Mussel

Mytilus edulis

a primary seabed food source

hunts

Three-spined Stickleback

Gasterosteus aculeatus

small fish preyed upon underwater

Traits

Also known as

Oldsquaw

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and do not try to touch or chase them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Long-tailed Duck?

40-60 cm

What is Long-tailed Duck's wingspan?

70-80 cm

How much does Long-tailed Duck weigh?

0.5-1 kg

How long does Long-tailed Duck live?

10-20 years

How fast can Long-tailed Duck move?

70 km/h

What does Long-tailed Duck eat?

These expert divers mostly eat small marine animals found deep underwater.

Where is Long-tailed Duck usually found?

Coastal areas

How does Long-tailed Duck hunt?

Pursuit

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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