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Northern Pintail

Anas acuta

The Northern Pintail is a graceful duck with a long neck and pointed tail! It loves to glide across water and is often seen in large groups.

Habitat: Marshes and wetlands

Appearance

The Northern Pintail is an elegant duck known for the male's long, pointed tail feathers and slender neck. Males have a chocolate-brown head with a distinct white stripe extending up the neck from the breast. Females are mottled brown, sharing the same graceful, slender silhouette.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderAnseriformesFamilyAnatidaeGenusAnas
Northern Pintail
wildlife trait badgefeathered trait badgewebbed feet trait badgesocial trait badge
Northern Pintail

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

60

Interesting facts

Male pintails have a tail that can be as long as their body!

Pintails fly in V-formations, saving energy during migration.

Their 'pintail' name comes from the male's needle-like tail feather.

They often nest far from water, sometimes in dry grasslands.

Special abilities

Ability

Endurance Flier

Northern Pintail can migrate thousands of kilometers because its strong wings and efficient flight pattern help it cover vast distances quickly.

Ability

Sensitive Seeker

Northern Pintail can find hidden food in mud because its bill is highly sensitive to feel for submerged seeds and insects.

Ability

Wetland Blending

Northern Pintail has mottled brown feathers that help it hide from predators among reeds and muddy shores.

Measurements & details

Length
56-74 cm
Wingspan
80-95 cm
Weight
0.7-1.2 kg
Lifespan
10-20 years
Speed
70 km/h
Clutch Size
6-12
Incubation
22-24 days
Migration Distance
4000 km

Diet & Feeding

These ducks mostly eat seeds and plants they find in shallow water, sometimes grabbing insects too.

Age differences: Young ducklings eat more insects and invertebrates for growth.

Primary Foods

  • aquatic seeds
  • submerged plants
  • insect larvae
  • small crustaceans
  • grasses

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

Pintail Duck

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Northern Pintail?

Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How long is Northern Pintail?

56-74 cm

What is Northern Pintail's wingspan?

80-95 cm

How much does Northern Pintail weigh?

0.7-1.2 kg

How long does Northern Pintail live?

10-20 years

How fast can Northern Pintail move?

70 km/h

What does Northern Pintail eat?

These ducks mostly eat seeds and plants they find in shallow water, sometimes grabbing insects too.

Where is Northern Pintail usually found?

Marshes and wetlands

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Recent Snaps

Where to spot

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Durso Park

"family Friendly", "neighborhood Park", "playground", "outdoor Recreation", "urban Green Space", "basketball Courts", "picnic Spot", "birdwatching"

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Eden Landing Ecological Reserve place preview
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California, US

Eden Landing Ecological Reserve

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Grist Mill Park place preview
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Virginia, US

Grist Mill Park

"park", "hiking", "walking", "dog Friendly", "playground", "sports", "wildlife Viewing", "concerts", "family Friendly", "nature Trails"

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Kirk Park place preview
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Birdwatching, Hiking, Family Friendly, Dog Friendly, Beach, Lake Michigan, Dunes, Accessible, Nature Trails, Cross Country Skiing, Picnicking, Wildlife Viewing, Scenic Views.

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Loop Retail Historic District

Architecture and Chicago History

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Michigan–Wacker Historic District place preview
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Illinois, US

Michigan–Wacker Historic District

Art Deco and Chicago Architecture

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