Long-tailed Duck

41-56 cm (16-22") Fairly common. Tundra pools and lakes in summer, winters at sea or along protected inshore coastal areas and large lakes. Short-billed diving duck with a long needlelike tail. Was called Oldsquaw.

Male: in summer black head and breast; large white patch around eye; white sides and rear end. In winter white head; large dark patch on side of neck; back marked with bold black and white. In flight, white eye patch, long pointed tail, dark unmarked wings.

Female: in summer gray-brown overall; large dark smudge behind cheek. In winter, white head with dark patches; brown back; light sides. In flight, white eye patch, long pointed tail, dark unmarked wings.

Song: noisy yodels, gutteral calls.

Videos

Images

Credit: Greg Schneider