Fun Pintail Duck Facts For Kids

A pintail is a kind of duck belonging to the genus Anas and there are four species that fall under this genus. The four kinds of pintail ducks are yellow-beaked pintail, northern pintail, white-cheeked pintail, and Eaton's pintail (southern pintail). Out of these four, a northern pintail is also known as a pintail duck or a common pintail duck and it is the most commonly found kind of this bird.

The ecosystem of these ducks mostly includes wetlands. Northern pintails are found in the Northern Hemisphere during the summer. They fly long distances to the Southern Hemisphere where they spend the winter season. The flight speed of these ducks is also quite impressive. Pintail ducks are very commonly hunted, however, in North America, a permit is required to hunt them. The breeding season varies for each kind and breeding pairs usually perform various displays in front of each other. The tail feathers of this bird species are the inspiration for their name.

Keep reading to learn more about pintail ducks! If you like this article, you can also check out cardinal bird and red finch.
 

What type of animal is a pintail?

Pintails are birds that are found on several continents across the world. These birds feed on aquatic plants, seeds, and invertebrates.

What class of animal does a pintail belong to?

A pintail duck belongs to the class Aves. There are four species of this bird under one genus.

How many pintails are there in the world?

Out of all the species of pintails, the northern pintail (Anas acuta) population is quite large. There are 7 million individuals, estimating to 4.7-4.8 million mature northern pintails in the world, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, Eaton's pintails are not as common having a population of about 45,000-60,000 (31,200-41,400 mature individuals).

Where does a pintail live?

Northern pintails have a very wide range and can be found in North America, Europe, and Asia during the summer. In the winter, these birds take flight and travel from the north to the Southern Hemisphere and can even be seen as far down as Africa. Some of these birds also travel from the north to Hawaii to spend their winter. White-cheeked pintails are native to South America, the Galapagos Islands, and the Caribbean. Yellow-billed pintails can be seen in South America as well, along with south Georgia, and the Falkland Islands. Eaton's pintails have the most limited geographic range and can only be seen in the Kerguelen Islands and the Crozet Islands.

What is a pintail's habitat?

The habitat of these birds includes lakes, marshes, wetlands, and even grain fields. Their nest is built on the ground to make it easy for them to hunt for seeds, invertebrates, and aquatic plants. Also, the nest is normally somewhat away from a source of water.

Who do pintails live with?

Pintails generally display social behavior and live in groups. White-cheeked pintails are known to travel in small flocks.

How long does a pintail live?

Pintail ducks can live for an average of around 22 years in the wild, with their lifespan ranging from anywhere between 15-25 years.

How do they reproduce?

Pintails usually show monogamous behavior while breeding. The breeding season varies for different pintails. For example, the breeding season of northern pintails is from spring to summer. However, for white-cheeked pintails, breeding occurs throughout the year. After courtship displays and successful mating, female northern pintails lay between seven and nine eggs. These eggs are incubated by female ducks and the ducklings hatch after 22-24 days.

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of northern pintails along with yellow-beaked pintails and white-cheeked pintails is marked as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation Nature. However, their population has been decreasing. In North America, there has been a significant reduction in the population of northern pintails. The main threat they face is habitat loss and over-hunting. Eaton's pintails are marked as Vulnerable in the Red List and are at risk due to feral cats.

What do pintails look like?

Male and female northern pintails (Anas acuta) have a slightly different appearance as their plumage are different colors. Males have a chocolate brown head and a white breast with a white stripe that extends from their breast to the side of their neck. They also have speckled feathers. A female pintail has a duller appearance and is gray in color. When compared to other dabbling ducks, pintails have a longer neck. Their bill appears bluish or gray. Apart from a northern pintail, white-cheeked pintails and yellow-billed pintails also appear quite unique due to their white cheeks and yellow bills, respectively. Eaton's pintails also are gray in color, similar to gray female northern pintails. The tail feathers of pintails are also distinct.

How cute are they?

Pintail ducks are quite cute to look at. Their beautiful plumage, elongated neck, and characteristic tail gives them a beautiful appearance.

How do they communicate?

Pintail ducks can communicate using several calls and vocalizations. Northern pintail males are known to make a whistle-like sound, while females make a 'quack' sound. There are also courtship displays involved during the mating season.

How big is a pintail?

The length of a northern pintail is between 20-30 in (50.8-76.2 cm). Female ducks are smaller in length than males. Mallard ducks are within the same range of length as the common or northern pintail. However, a northern pintail's neck is much more elongated when compared to a mallard.

How fast can a pintail fly?

A northern pintail duck can attain a flight speed of 48-65 mph (77.2-104.6 kph). These birds are migratory in nature and can cover really long distances in a very short time. White-cheeked pintails are also known to be fast fliers, but they are non-migratory in nature.

How much does a pintail weigh?

Common or northern pintails have a weight range of 1-3 lb (0.4-1.3 kg). Females are lighter than male pintails and usually have a maximum weight of 2.5 lb (1 kg).

What are their male and female names of the species?

Male and female pintail ducks are known as a 'pintail drake' and a 'pintail hen', respectively.

What would you call a baby pintail?

A baby pintail duck is known as a 'pintail duckling'.

What do they eat?

Northern pintails have an omnivorous diet. They use their bill to feed on insects and other kinds of invertebrates. They also eat various kinds of aquatic plants, seeds, barley, and oats. Ducklings mainly feed on insects that they can find on the ground.

Are they friendly?

Pintails are not known to be particularly aggressive towards humans. However, northern pintails damage crops and fields.

Would they make a good pet?

Northern pintail or common pintail ducks are not really kept as pets as they might not be suitable to be domesticated. In many areas in North America, these birds are not legally allowed to be owned as pets.

Did you know...

The name pintail was given to these ducks due to their tail feathers. Their tails are usually quite long and narrow towards the end forming a sharp point, resembling a pin.

The easiest pintail calling method is by making a 'trill' sound by rolling your tongue.

Are pintail ducks rare?

Northern pintail ducks are found quite abundantly in North America and other parts of this region. However, this species has seen a decline in its population in North America. Nevertheless, there are 7 million individuals, estimating to 4.7-4.8 million mature individuals belonging to this species, and so they are not considered to be rare. Both white-cheeked and yellow-billed pintail duck species have a declining population but cannot be considered rare either as their range is quite huge and they can be commonly seen. Southern or Eaton's pintail ducks are considered to be rare as they are restricted to a few islands and their population size is no more than 45,000-60,000 (31,200-41,400 mature individuals).

Do pintail ducks dive?

Pintail ducks are also known as dabbling ducks. This is because these ducks 'dabble' instead of diving. Unlike diving ducks who can be seen to submerge completely underwater, dabbling pintail ducks only submerge their head and upper part of the body. Their tails can be seen sticking out from the surface of the water.

What does a pintail duck sound like?

Pintail calls can be heard from quite a distance away. A male can usually be heard whistling, while a pintail female makes a 'quack' sound. In white-cheeked pintails, females engage in making high-low 'quack' sounds when they cannot find their mates.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds including golden masked owl, or quetzal.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our duck coloring pages.