Long-tailed Duck

Overview

The Long-tailed Duck is a small to medium sea duck that breeds on arctic tundra and winters on open ocean waters and large lakes further south. It is notable among ducks for undergoing more distinct plumages across the year than any other species, with patterning shifting substantially between breeding and nonbreeding periods. Males in breeding plumage show elongated, pointed central tail feathers, while the overall body pattern flips between predominantly dark in summer and predominantly pale in winter.

Feather Identification

• Tail feathers: Males show markedly elongated, pointed central tail feathers that project well beyond the rest of the tail, a feature unique among regularly occurring sea ducks.
• Seasonal pattern reversal: Breeding-season males appear mostly dark with paler face patches, while winter males become largely white with dark breast and cheek patches - the opposite arrangement, which is unusual among ducks and important for correct seasonal identification.
• Female tail: Females lack the elongated tail feathers and show a shorter, more typical duck tail with a mottled brown-and-white body pattern.
• Bill marking: A dark bill with a pink or orange band is present in some plumages, though this is not a feather trait.
• Molt frequency: The species undergoes multiple partial molts per year, more than most ducks, resulting in intermediate plumages that can look patchy or transitional depending on the time of year.

Plumage Notes

Long-tailed Ducks undergo three to four distinct plumages annually, an unusually complex molt schedule compared to other waterfowl. Breeding males are mostly dark brown and black with pale facial patches and long central tail feathers. Winter males become predominantly white with a dark breast patch, dark cheek patch, and scapular stripes, retaining elongated tail feathers though sometimes shorter than in peak breeding condition. Females show a shorter tail and a more consistently mottled brown-and-white pattern with less dramatic seasonal change than males. Juveniles resemble females and take a couple of years to acquire full adult male tail length and patterning.

Habitat & Range

Long-tailed Ducks breed on tundra ponds and wetlands across the high Arctic of North America and Eurasia. In winter, they move to open ocean waters, large lakes, and occasionally large rivers, often diving in relatively deep water compared to many other ducks. The species is strongly migratory, undertaking long journeys between arctic breeding grounds and more temperate or coastal wintering areas.

Behavior & Field Notes

Long-tailed Ducks are capable divers, able to forage at greater depths than most other ducks in pursuit of aquatic invertebrates. They are often found well offshore in winter, sometimes far from the coast on open water. The species is notably vocal for a sea duck, with males giving a yodeling, musical call during courtship that carries over long distances on breeding and wintering grounds alike. Nests are built on the ground near tundra ponds, well concealed in low vegetation, with females solely responsible for incubation and brood care.