Long-tailed Duck

Clangula hyemalis

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Brief #

Male has a long pointed tail and a dark grey bill crossed by a pink band, underparts are white.

Synonyms #

  • Pato havelda (Spanish)
  • Pato rabeiro (Galician)

Red List Status #

The Long-tailed Duck is at high risk of unnatural (human-caused) extinction without further human intervention.
Find out more about IUCN's Red List program here

Description #

Adults have white underparts, though the rest of the plumage goes through a complex moulting process. The male has a long pointed tail (10 to 15 cm (3.9 to 5.9 in) long) and a dark grey bill crossed by a pink band. In winter, the male has a dark cheek patch on a mainly white head and neck, a dark breast and mostly white body. In summer, the male is dark on the head, neck and back with a white cheek patch. The female has a brown back and a relatively short pointed tail. In winter, the female's head and neck are white with a dark crown. In summer, the head is dark. Juveniles resemble adult females in autumn plumage, though with a lighter, less distinct cheek patch.

Measurements #

Length: 58 - 60 cm
Wingspan: 73 - 79 cm
Weight: 520 - 950 g

Similar species #