Northern Pintail

Characteristics

A large duck with a long male tail. The male has a dark brown head, white chest and belly, and black wings and tail. The sides of the beak are gray. Females are brown overall with a black stripe on the chest and below. The beak color is entirely black unlike that of the male. When transformed into an eclipse, males resemble females, but can be distinguished by the gray flanks of the male's beak. When it's wary, it makes a "shi-shi" voice, and sometimes it makes a "pull, piru" voice. Not afraid of humans.

Ecology

They live in rivers and lakes and eat plant seeds and shellfish. Taking advantage of its long neck, it stands on its head above the surface of the water and eats food on the bottom of the water. They are also being fed by humans near urban areas. They often sleep and rest during the day.

Breeds in the tundra of the northern hemisphere and migrates south for the winter.

Habitat

Found around Shinobazu Pond. It was a couple crossing the road in anticipation of the time when there were fewer people. Like the other ducks in Shinobazu Pond, they were hardly wary of humans and could be photographed up close. You can see many pintails sleeping on the banks of the pond or swimming slowly on the surface of the water.