Northern Pintail

migratory duck · long distance traveler · Arctic to equator

Super long neck. The northern pintail has an unusually long, thin neck that makes it look like it was stretched out. This elegant shape helps it reach plants and food in shallow water that other ducks can't get to.

Epic migration. These ducks breed in the cold north during summer, then fly all the way to the equator to spend winter where it's warm. Some pintails travel thousands of miles twice every year, making them champion long-distance flyers.

Found everywhere. Northern pintails live across huge areas of Europe, Asia, and North America, yet they're all the same species with no regional differences. This is unusual because most wide-ranging birds develop different versions in different places.

Arctic homebodies. These ducks breed in the tundra and grasslands of the far north where summer is short but food is plentiful. They build their nests on the ground near water in places like Alaska, Canada, and Siberia.

Dabbling feeders. Northern pintails are dabbling ducks, which means they tip forward to eat plants and seeds in shallow water instead of diving deep. They're graceful and can move quickly on land better than most other ducks.