Long-tailed Duck

Identification

The long-tailed duck is a medium-sized sea duck instantly recognizable by its distinctive long, pointed tail. Males are particularly striking, sporting a dark grey bill crossed by a pink band and dramatic seasonal plumage changes. In winter, males display a dark cheek patch on a mainly white head and neck, contrasting with a dark breast and mostly white body. During breeding season, this pattern reverses—the head, neck, and back turn dark while a white cheek patch becomes prominent. Females are more subdued, with brown backs and relatively short pointed tails. In winter, females show white heads and necks with dark crowns; in summer, their heads darken entirely. Juveniles resemble autumn females but with lighter, less distinct cheek patches. Males are vocal birds, producing a distinctive musical yodelling call described as "ow, ow, owal-ow"—a sound that adds to their charm and aids identification.

Range & Habitat

Long-tailed ducks breed across the high Arctic, inhabiting tundra and taiga regions throughout northern Eurasia and North America. Their breeding range spans Russian Siberia, Kamchatka, Karelia, the Faroe Islands, Finland, southern Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Alaska, and northern Canada. They nest in tundra pools and marshes, along sea coasts, and beside large mountain lakes, building ground nests lined with down near water. During winter, they migrate to northern coastlines, concentrating on large bodies of seawater including the Northern Pacific Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, Hudson Bay, and the North American Great Lakes, with small numbers reaching the Missouri River. The Baltic Sea serves as their most important wintering ground, attracting approximately 4.5 million birds.

Behaviour & Diet

These highly migratory ducks are gregarious birds, forming enormous flocks during winter and migration periods. Long-tailed ducks are specialized divers, using their wings in a unique diving technique similar to velvet scoters, which allows them to descend to remarkable depths—up to 60 metres or more in pursuit of food. They feed primarily on mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish, typically foraging close to the surface but capable of deep dives when necessary. This exceptional diving ability distinguishes them from most other duck species and reflects their adaptation to marine life.

Best Time & Places to See It

Winter offers the best viewing opportunities, when vast numbers congregate in predictable locations along northern coasts. The Baltic Sea is the premier destination, hosting millions of birds from autumn through spring. Coastal areas of northern Europe and Asia, the Great Lakes, and both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America provide excellent viewing. During breeding season, they inhabit remote Arctic regions that are less accessible to most travellers, though recent breeding populations have appeared in Western European locations such as the Marker Wadden in the Netherlands.

Photography Tips

Winter concentrations offer the best photography opportunities, particularly at traditional wintering sites where birds are habituated to observation. The males' striking plumage contrasts and distinctive long tails photograph well, especially in clear winter light. Capture their characteristic diving behaviour and gregarious flocking patterns—large groups create dynamic compositional possibilities. Early morning and late afternoon light enhance the detail in their complex plumage patterns. Consider recording their musical yodelling calls if filming video. Approach slowly to avoid dispersing flocks, and be prepared for rapid movement as these active ducks frequently dive and resurface unpredictably.