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.
How to identify
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.
Did you know?
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.
