Page 116 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

WILDFOWL
Order Anseriformes Family Anatidae Species Clangula hyemalis
Long-tailed Duck smudgy white
band around eye

dark cheek patch
dark
wings
thick JUVENILE (WINTER)
dark
bill
white
neck
pale flanks
MALE (WINTER)
FEMALE (WINTER)
FEMALE
(SUMMER)
long, flexible
tail point
pink band
dark cheek
white and pale patch on stubby
grey body dark bill
FEMALE (WINTER)
IN FLIGHT
white
rich face
white rear brown patch
flanks body
MALE (WINTER)
MALE
(SUMMER)
hile occasional individuals appear inland briefly, Long-tailed FLIGHT: quick, rather heavy; small wings beat fast;
WDucks are essentially marine birds, living offshore in flocks, splashes heavily onto water.
often mixed with scoters.They are generally lively and
active, often flying low over the waves,splashing down,
then flying again.When feeding, they spend long
periods underwater.The irregular and complicated
patterns, especially of males, may be somewhat
confusing for novice birdwatchers, although in reality
they are quite distinctive.
VOICE Male makes loud, rhythmic, yodelling calls,
a-ahulee; female growls.
NESTING Down-lined hollow on ground near water;
4–6 eggs; 1 brood; May–June. FAMILY GROUP
FEEDING Dives from surface to take molluscs Breeding Long-tailed Ducks are restricted to the far north, but are often
and crustaceans. numerous on suitable lakes.
SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRENCE
Breeds in Iceland and Scandinavia
GOLDENEYE 2; on bleak moorland. Winters at
see p.115
plainer sea off N Great Britain and in
brown
dark head North Sea and Baltic, typically well
flanks offshore but drifting into bays and
brown head longer estuaries with tide, especially in
with white bill early spring.
stripe
PINTAIL 3similar to 3; Seen in the UK
see p.103 J F M A M JJ A S O N D
Length 38–60cm (15–23 1 ⁄2in) Wingspan 73–79cm (29–31in) Weight 520–950g (19–34oz)
Social Flocks Lifespan Up to 10 years Status Secure
114