Northern pintail
Sprig
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Scientific Name:
Anas acuta Aquatic and Terrestrial
- Seasons and Regulations
- Licenses/Permits
Description
A long, slender profile compared to most ducks. Males have a chocolate brown head with white neck extending to a white stomach and grey overbody. Black rump is seperated from the grey by a creamy patch. Blue feet and blue/black bill. The two center tail feathers are elongated several inches into the "pin" or "sprig" that most people know them for. Females have a brown overall appearance with mottling. Head and neck are more of a tan than brown and distinctively different than the body.
Sound
Female: produces a low quack. Males: a rolling whistle " pruh" or "prrip."
Range and Habitat
Pintails are known to breed in Northern Asia, Europe, the U.S. and Canada. They are found throughout many countries during the winter, such as Panama, Guyana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mali, Senegal, Venezuela, Japan, etc… Very widespread throughout the known world. They generally dwell in open wetlands and typically avoid wooded areas. Pintails utilize bays, estuaries, marshes, and agricultural fields during winter, notably rice and freshwater marsh are their common haunts.
Behavior
Highly sociable, can form large concentrations on wintering marshes and bays. Highly vocal when feeding.
Hunting License Information
Basic hunting license or equivalent combination license (Sportsman Paradise). Waterfowl, HIP certification (18 years old and older). Federal Duck Stamp (16 years old and older) signed across the face, if hunting WMA then WMA Access Permit.
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