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White-whiskered Laughingthrush
Yellow Tit
Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler
More Birds in Taiwan
Cattle Egret
Eastern Marsh Harrier
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Northern Pintail Anas acuta
The Northern Pintail is a medium-sized (50-65 cm) long-necked duck, the male having a brown head, a white neck stripe, lower neck and breast, gray sides and gray wings with a greenish speculum. The back is mottled gray and black, the upper and undertail coverts are black, and the rear flanks creamy buff. The bill is dark blue-gray and the feet are gray. A distinctive feature of the male are its long pointed central tail feathers. The female is mottled brown overall, with a richer buff brown head and neck and a shorter pointed tail.
The Northern Pintail frequents marshes, coastal lagoons and brackish waters in winter, where it feeds mainly by up-ending, dabbling and head-dipping in shallow water. It feeds on a variety of seeds, tubers, and aquatic plants, and will also graze on land. In spring and summer it also feeds on various insects, crustaceans, molluscs and small fish.
In Taiwan the Northern Pintail is a common winter visitor.
References: Handbook of Birds of the World Vol. 1; A Field Guide to the Birds of China (Mackinnon and Phillipps); 100 Common Birds of Taiwan (Wild Bird Society of Taipei) |
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