Wildlifeof Nepal
Long-tailed Duck
Ducks, Geese & Grebes
Photo: (c) carbenoid, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY
Clangula hyemalis
Basic stats
Habitat
Breeds on tundra pools, marshes and mountain lakes; winters on coasts
Range
Breeds across the Arctic; winters along northern Atlantic and Pacific coasts
Clutch size
6–9 pale grey to olive eggs
Size
Male tail 10–15cm
The long-tailed duck is a medium-sized sea duck that breeds in the tundra and taiga regions of the Arctic and winters along the northern coasts of the Atlantic and Pacific. The male has a long pointed tail, 10 to 15cm long, and a dark grey bill crossed by a pink band. In winter the male has a dark cheek patch on a mainly white head and neck, a dark breast and a mostly white body (Wikipedia, general species account).
Males are vocal, with a musical yodelling call. Although it usually feeds close to the surface, it can dive to about 60m. Six to nine pale grey to olive eggs are laid per clutch. It is a coastal and Arctic species, and nothing in the sources opened places it in Nepal, so its inclusion in the guide is flagged for checking.
Quick answers
- What habitat does the Long-tailed Duck live in?
- Breeds on tundra pools, marshes and mountain lakes; winters on coasts
- Where is the Long-tailed Duck found?
- Breeds across the Arctic; winters along northern Atlantic and Pacific coasts
- How many eggs does the Long-tailed Duck lay?
- 6–9 pale grey to olive eggs
- How big is the Long-tailed Duck?
- Male tail 10–15cm