Long-tailed Duck

Clangula hyemalis

Genus · Long-tailed Ducks Family · Ducks, Geese, and Swans
Observation tips Difficulty: MODERATE
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
MarineOpen water

Look for them in coastal bays or offshore in winter. Listen for their unique yodeling calls which carry far over the water.

Long-tailed Duck

♂ Male · ♀ Female

Stats
Wingspan70–80 cm
Weight550–900 g
Length44–60 cm
Lifespan wild10–15 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typeScrape
Clutch size5–9 eggs
Incubation24–29 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
VU
Vulnerable (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationMigratory
Social BehaviourFlocking

Diet: Omnivore

🦀Crustaceans
🐟Fish
🦗Insects
🐚Mollusks
🍃Plants

Habitat

🛶 Lake wetlands🌊 Marine🏞️ River❄️ Tundra
✦ Fun Fact

Long-tailed Ducks undergo three molts each year, changing into strikingly different plumages between the breeding and winter seasons.

About

A stunning and vocal sea duck of the high Arctic. It winters in large numbers in the Baltic and North Seas. It is a small duck with complex plumage that changes three times a year. In winter, it appears predominantly white and grey. It is a deep-water specialist often found far out at sea. It is known as one of the most musical of all waterfowl.

Behaviour

Long-tailed Ducks are world-class divers, reaching depths of up to 60 metres to find mollusks and other prey. They are highly social and often gather in large, noisy flocks. Males are famous for their melodic yodeling call, often described as 'caloo-caloo', and they typically fly fast and low over the water.

Sexual Dimorphism

♂ Male

In winter, the male is mostly white with a dark cheek patch and breast. Most iconic are the two exceptionally long, thin central tail feathers.

♀ Female

Lacks the long tail feathers. In winter, she is mostly white with a dark crown and a dark smudge on the face. Her back is mottled brown and grey.

Similar species

Common Goldeneye
🐦
Common Goldeneye
Bucephala clangula
Northern Pintail
🐦
Northern Pintail
Anas acuta
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