The Pintail, also called Northern Pintail to distinguish it from southern species,
is native to the northern hemisphere of the Americas, Europe and Asia. It breeds in the north of its range and migrates south to winter.
Only the male, above in breeding plumage, has the long, thin tail that gives the species its name.
The brown mallard-like female pintail, above left and below, does not have a long tail.
"I can't believe I heard you say that"
The blue-billed male is much larger than the female
A little green shows on his head in the right light
Did you wonder why they were called "ducks"?
In eclipse plumage he loses the white neck-stripe but retains his plumed cloak
The female Pintail . . .
. . . doesn't have a pin tail
The olive green speculum (wing-flash)
Pintails
Male Pintail eclipse (autumn/winter) plumage
Breeding plumage
The face doesn't have white plumage - its just how the light catches the wet.