Northern pintails

Why in News?

Northern pintails have arrived at the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, which is a popular winter destination for migratory birds from Siberia, Central Asia, and the Himalayas.

• The Northern Pintail is probably one of the most numerous duck species in the world.
• Scientific Name – Anas acuta.
• Habitat – Freshwater wetlands, lakes, ponds, rivers, saltwater bays, tundra, prairies, flooded fields.
• Distribution – It is found across North America, Europe, and Asia, with many Siberian breeders crossing the Bering Strait to winter in North America.
• Size
  • Male - 64-74 cm.
  • Female - 21-23 (53-58 cm).
• Appearance – Elegant, slender duck with long neck and tail, slim and long-necked.
  • Males have a chocolate brown head with a white slash coming up the neck, a white breast, and a mostly grey body and long pointed tail.
  • Females are patterned in light brown, known by a pointed tail, a long neck, a grey bill, and more subdued colouration compared to males.

• Forages in wetlands and in fields on agricultural waste grains.
• Diet – Mostly eat seeds, insects, grains, molluscs, plant material, etc.
• Behaviour – They dabble in wetlands and fields, often mixing with other duck species in the nonbreeding season.
• Conservation Status
  • IUCN – Least Concern.
  • Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 – Schedule II.
• Threats – Habitat loss, climate change, vulnerable to wetland degradation, and also sensitive to lead poisoning and avian botulism.

References

1. The Hindu | A winter getaway in Assam’s wetlands
2. All about Birds | Northern Pintail
3. Audubon Society | Northern Pintail