lavandera

1. Nombre del ave
English Name: Pintail
Scientific (Latin) Name: Anas acuta

2. Aspecto
The pintail or northern pintail is a bird with distinctive markings and coloration. The males, known as drakes, have a chocolate-brown head, white breast, and a long elegant tail which is gray and tapering, where the bird draws its name from. Females are predominantly brownish-gray with a shorter, pointed tail. Both sexes have gray-blue feet and a dark gray beak. The male’s eyes are dark brown while the female’s are medium brown. An interesting feature of pintails is the color variation of their feathers which can change with the light direction and intensity, often making them appear iridescent.

3. Tamaño
The pintail is a large, long-tailed duck, with an average length of 59 to 76cm (23 to 30 inches). Its wingspan ranges from 80 to 95cm (31 to 37 inches), and it weighs between 700g to 1.2kg (1.5 to 2.6 lb).

4. Hábitat y distribución
Pintails occupy a wide range of habitats over several continents, including North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Pintails prefer wetlands, especially shallow lakes and ponds. They will also settle in coastal bays and estuaries, as well as flooded agricultural fields, preferring such habitats for breeding.

5. Datos de interés
The pintail can reach great heights during migration, sometimes flying as high as 8000 meters (26,000 feet). In flight, they use V-formations and travel fast, sometimes reaching speeds of 72 km/h (45 mph). Besides, pintails are critical to native cultures like the Native American tribes who often feature this bird in their folklore and art.

6. Dieta
The pintail’s diet mainly consists of plant material. They feed on seeds, leaves, and stems of aquatic plants. Pintails also eat small invertebrates like insects, crustaceans, and mollusks when plant materials are scarce.

7. Comportamiento y sonidos
Pintails have a graceful upending feeding behavior where they typically tip-up to feed on submerged vegetation, instead of diving. During mating season, male pintails perform elaborate displays to attract females. Their call is a mellow whistle, while the female’s call is a soft growl.

8. Estado de conservación
According to the IUCN Red List, the northern pintail is classified as ‘Least Concern.’ However, certain populations have seen declines due to habitat loss and degradation.

9. Vida útil
In the wild, pintails typically live for an average of 2-3 years, but individuals have been known to live up to 20 years. In captivity, they can live between 10 and 20 years depending on the care they receive.

10. Notas adicionales
‘Pintail’ in Spanish is ‘Ánade Rabudo’, in French, it is ‘Canard Pilet’, and in German, it is ‘Spiessente.’ Pintails usually avoid human contact as they are shy and cautious. However, they play a crucial role in their ecosystem by serving as an excellent indicator of water quality as they need clean water to survive. They also help control pests by feeding on insects and invertebrates. Furthermore, their feeding activity contributes to the dispersion of plant seeds, supporting biodiversity. They are also an important game bird in many parts of the world.