Northern Pintail

Duck Families and Species Duck Pictures American Black Duck Cinnamon Teal Green-winged Teal Mallard Northern Shovler Wigeons Wood Duck

The Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) is a beautiful dabbling duck characterized by a long neck and long tail.

Males, like the one in the above picture, have longer tails than females. The picture at the top of the page shows its least known field mark, a black bill with blue stripes down the side.

Females have brown feathers and a black bill.

Northern Pintails breed as far north as Canada and Alaska. They winter throughout the United States, with the exception of some areas in the North East and Mid-West.

Like most dabbling ducks, pintails eat insects, grasses and grains.

© 2005-2008 Patricia A. Michaels