Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis

Identification Tips:

• Length: 15 inches Wingspan: 30 inches
• Diving duck
• Dark wings

Adult male alternate:

• Plumage worn in Spring and Summer
• Very long, black, central tail feathers
• Black head, neck, chest, and back
• Large white patch on the head around the eye
• White flanks, belly and undertail coverts
• Pinkish bill

Adult male basic:

• Plumage worn in Fall and Winter
• Very long, black, central tail feathers
• White crown, neck, back, flanks, and belly
• Black chest and lower back
• Gray face patch
• Black bill with pale near tip

Immature male:

• Short, black, central tail feathers
• White head and neck with dark crown and face patch
• Gray chest and back
• Whitish flanks and belly
• Black bill with pale near tip

Adult female winter:

• White head and neck with dark crown and face patch
• Gray back
• White flanks and belly
• Pale bill
• Plumage somewhat darker in summer

Similar species:

The long central tail feathers of the male are diagnostic. Female is whiter overall, especially on the head, than other sea loving ducks. In flight, the dark wings are only also found in scoters and Harlequin Ducks but they have darker heads.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.

Above information used courtesy of United States Geological Survey.