Observe and photograph a species in its natural habitat

Learn where and when to observe a species in the wild, how to recognize it in the field, and what habitats it lives in. Get photography tips adapted to its behavior and capture stunning images without disturbing the animal. For full details, open the complete profile in the WildlifePhotographer app.

Northern pintail

Scientific name: Anas acuta


Northern pintail

IUCN Status: Least Concern

Family: ANATIDAE

Group: Birds

Shyness: Suspicious

Safe distance: 30 m

Breeding season / Courtship: 01.10-31.12

Gestation: N/A

Births: 01.05-30.06


Habitat:
Lakes, ponds, marshes, rivers, and wetlands of Asia, Europe, and North America, often in open or semi-aquatic environments

Description:
The Northern Pintail is a migratory species of duck, easily recognizable by its slender body and long neck, which gives it an elegant and distinctive silhouette. The male during the breeding season has a colorful plumage, with a green head, brown body, and long bill. The female, on the other hand, has more subdued plumage, brown speckled, adapted for camouflage. This duck primarily inhabits wetland areas, such as marshes, ponds, and rivers, where it feeds on aquatic vegetation, seeds, and insects. The Northern Pintail is a long-distance migrant, leaving its breeding grounds in Europe and Asia to head to Africa or the Middle East during the winter. Although still fairly widespread, the species is threatened by the loss of its natural habitat due to wetland drainage and intensified agriculture.

Recommended lens:
>=300 mm

Photography tips:
To photograph the Northern pintail, a telephoto lens is ideal for capturing its elegant silhouette, especially when it is flying or on the water. The soft light of early morning or evening is perfect to avoid harsh shadows. Be patient and discreet to avoid disturbing their natural environment, especially during the breeding season

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