The Northern Pintail

I make no apology for a separate post, to eulogise about my favourite duck…the Pintail.

The Pintail is slightly larger than a mallard; and the drake has a lovely blue bill, chocolate head and a long, elongated tail. The female is slightly more nondescript, but has a very intricate mottled plumage.

The Pintail is almost exclusively a winter visitor, with only a handful of breeding pairs every year (and sadly in decline), most favouring to return to North America, North-Eastern Europe or Russia for the Spring/Summer to breed. In the winter however, they can be seen in good numbers and are gregarious by nature forming large flocks, mixed with other ducks. Sheltered coasts, estuaries and inland wetlands are all great places to see this stunning duck.