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Pintail

When spotting the pintail in winter, look out for the fabulous, long tail feathers that characterise it. This dabbling duck feeds at the water's surface, rather than diving for food.

Enw gwyddonol

Anas acuta

Pryd i'w gweld

January to December

Species information

Categori

Ystadegau

Length: 55-65cm
Wingspan: 88cm
Weight: 700-900g
Average lifespan: 3 years

Statws cadwraethol

Classified in the UK as Amber under the Birds of Conservation Concern 5: the Red List for Birds (2021). Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981.

Ynghylch

The pintail is an uncommon dabbling duck, which rarely breeds in the UK and is most likely to be seen during the winter when it can be found with other ducks. Larger numbers gather on selected sheltered estuaries, such as the Wash and the Dee Estuary. Like all dabbling ducks, pintails feed at the surface rather than diving for their food. They eat plant food when dabbling, but will supplement their diet with insects and molluscs in the breeding season.

Sut i'w hadnabod

The pintail is easily distinguished by its long, pointed tail feathers. Males have a chestnut-coloured head, white neck and grey body, while females are mottled brown with smaller, pointed tails. Pintails also have a long, graceful neck.

Dosbarthiad

Mainly a winter visitor to coasts and estuaries. Small numbers nest here, particularly in northern Scotland.

Roeddech chi yn gwybod?

The oldest pintail was recorded as living to 27 years of age! Normally, these ducks live for an average of about three years, breeding after a year. Pintails will lay up to nine eggs in a concealed nest on the ground, some distance from the water. At best, only a third of their clutch will live long enough to breed themselves - the chicks are vulnerable to predators such as foxes, crows, magpies and birds of prey.