Northern Pintail

The Northern Pintail (Scientific name - Anas acuta), also just known as Pintail is a dabbling duck found in many parts of North America and Eurasia. In North America it nests as far North as Northern Canada and Alaska. It migrates South as far as Central America and into the North of South America. 

The Northern Pintail male has a distinctive chocolate brown head and a long white neck and white underparts. The white extends up in a thin line to the vack of the head. Back is grey/brown with black on the wings. Bill is black with bluish sides. It has distinctive long black center tail feathers giving it its name. The female (in top photo) is basically brown and buff and does not have the distinctive tail feathers.

Photos were taken at the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary in January 2011 and April 2012.