Northern Pintail

66-76 cm (26-30") Common and widespread; more common in the west. Lakes, bays, marshes, ponds, agricultural fields in winter. Slender, long-necked, surface feeding duck with a long pointed tail.

Male: chocolate brown head; white neck and breast with white line extending up side of head; gray sides and wings; dark bill. In flight, long neck; white line on dark head; long, pointed wings; white border on trailing edge of brown speculum.

Female: plain light brown head and neck; darker mottled brown body; uniformly gray or blue bill. In flight, long neck; long, pointed wings; long wedge-shaped tail; white border on trailing edge of brown speculum; brown wing linings contrast with white belly.

Song: mellow whistle, quacks.

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