Northern Pintail

Anas acuta

Widespread, but localized Winter visitors to Britain from September-April of 29,000 birds & a rare breeder with only 20 pairs.

Breeds in Scandinavia, North East Europe & Iceland.

Males have  a chocolate-brown head and white breast with a white stripe extending up the side of the neck & upperparts and sides are grey, but elongated grey feathers with black central stripes are draped across the back from the shoulder area. 

Females are mainly scalloped and mottled in light brown with a more uniform grey-brown head, and its pointed tail is shorter than that of the Male.

Juveniles are duller.

The call is a soft proop-proop whistle.

Female has a Mallard-like descending quack, and a low croak when flushed.