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Birds by name

Long-tailed duck

Conservation status: Green

The long-tailed duck is a small, neat sea duck. They have small round heads and steep foreheads. In winter, the male is mainly white with some brownish-black markings. He also has greatly elongated tails feathers - hence the name. Females are browner. In flights, they show all dark wings and white bellies. They do not breed in the UK but protection of their wintering sites is important, because they are vulnerable to oil pollution at sea. A winter visitor and passage migrant to the UK, most common from Northumberland north to northern Scotland.

Overview

Latin name

Clangula hyemalis

Family

Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae)

Where to see them

The best chance of seeing long-tailed ducks is from seawatching points around the coast in winter, particularly in northern Scotland, Shetland and Orkney.

When to see them

Most often seen in winter.

What they eat

Mussels, cockles, clams, crabs and small fish.

Population

EuropeUK breeding*UK wintering*UK passage*
--11,000 birds-

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

Key

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Illustrations

Audio

Patrik Aberg, Xeno-canto

Characteristics

Long-tailed duck (female winter)

Long-tailed duck - female in non-breeding plumage
  • Colouring: Female
  • Size: between pigeon-mallard
  • Feather colours: brown, black, white, grey
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey
  • Beak length: long
  • Beak thickness: long
  • Beak shape: long
  • Leg colour: black/grey
  • Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground, dives underwater

Long-tailed duck (male winter)

Long-tailed duck - male in breeding plumage
  • Colouring: Male
  • Size: between pigeon-mallard
  • Feather colours: brown, black, white, grey
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey
  • Beak length: long
  • Beak thickness: long
  • Beak shape: long
  • Leg colour: black/grey, brown
  • Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground, dives underwater

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