Pintail

Slightly bigger than a Mallard, the Pintail is a long-necked and small-headed duck which flies with a curved back, pointed wings and a long tapering tail. The male's long central tail feathers give rise to the species' English and scientific names. Both sexes have blue-grey bills and grey legs and feet. The male is more striking, having a thin white stripe running from the back of its chocolate-coloured head down its neck to its mostly white underparts. The male also has attractive grey, brown, and black patterning on its back and sides. The female's plumage is more subtle and subdued with drab brown feathers similar to those of other female dabbling ducks.

The Pintail can be found all year round but it is primarily a winter visitor with significant populations occurring on coasts, estuaries and other wetlands at sites such as the Dee Estuary, Solway Estuary and Ouse Washes. The winter population arrives in September with numbers peaking in December and the return migration takes place from late February into March.

Date: 31st December 2021

Location: WWT London Wetland Centre, Barnes, Greater London