The long-tailed duck is a small, neat sea duck. They have small round heads and steep foreheads. In winter, the male is mainly white with some brownish-black markings. He also has greatly elongated tails feathers - hence the name. Females are browner. In flights, they show all dark wings and white bellies. They do not breed in the UK but protection of their wintering sites is important, because they are vulnerable to oil pollution at sea. A winter visitor and passage migrant to the UK, most common from Northumberland north to northern Scotland.
Key ID Features:
Winter males are distinctive with long, black tail, grey-white body, black cheek patches and a pink band on a stubby, dark bill.
Females are similarly coloured but lack pink band on bill and long tail.
Rare inland and almost always seen at sea.
Overview
Scientific name: Clangula hyemalis
Family: Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae)
Where to see them:
The best chance of seeing long-tailed ducks is from seawatching points around the coast in winter, particularly in northern Scotland, Shetland and Orkney.
Seen in UK:
Most often seen in winter- September to April.
What they eat
Mussels, cockles, clams, crabs and small fish.
Text (c) RSPB, used with permission
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Photographer: Tim Tapley
