Photo: J.M.Garg / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Least Concern

Waterbirds

Northern Pintail

Anas acuta

Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) — Ducks, Geese & Swans of North America.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 20 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of New South Wales Birds of Northern Territory Birds of Western Australia Birds of Alberta Birds of British Columbia Birds of Manitoba Birds of New Brunswick Birds of Newfoundland and Labrador Birds of Nova Scotia Birds of Northwest Territories

By family

Ducks, Geese & Swans of New South Wales Ducks, Geese & Swans of Northern Territory Ducks, Geese & Swans of Western Australia Ducks, Geese & Swans of Alberta Ducks, Geese & Swans of British Columbia Ducks, Geese & Swans of Manitoba Ducks, Geese & Swans of New Brunswick Ducks, Geese & Swans of Newfoundland and Labrador Ducks, Geese & Swans of Nova Scotia Ducks, Geese & Swans of Northwest Territories

See what's near you right now

The Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) is a member of the Anatidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia and North America. Adults weigh 945 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Anseriformes
Family Anatidae Ducks, Geese, Swans
Genus Anas
Species acuta

Where it lives

Widespread

Quick facts

Weight: 945 g
Diet: Aquatic plant-eaters
Family: Anatidae
Order: Anseriformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

African Black Duck

Anas sparsa

Least Concern

Crested Duck

Lophonetta specularioides

Near Threatened

Bronze-winged Duck

Speculanas specularis

Least Concern

Yellow-billed Duck

Anas undulata

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Northern Pintail feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.

Behaviour

A bird of wetlands, it swims and feeds in and around water.

Migration

The Northern Pintail is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.

The Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) belongs to the Anatidae family of the order Anseriformes. Its range spans Europe & Northern Asia and North America. Its distribution covers NA, PAL widespread.

It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 945 g, with a wing length of about 25.7 cm and a tail of around 12.5 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

The species has a mapped global range of roughly 28.4 million km² — a very large global range.

Songs & calls

Northern Pintail — Nocturnal flight call

Recorded by Vandousselaere Patrick Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Northern Pintail?

The Northern Pintail is a very large bird that weighs around 945 g.

Where does the Northern Pintail live?

The Northern Pintail is found across Europe & Northern Asia and North America with a range covering NA, PAL widespread, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Northern Pintail belong to?

The Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) belongs to the Anatidae family, in the order Anseriformes.

What does the Northern Pintail eat?

The Northern Pintail feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.

Does the Northern Pintail migrate?

The Northern Pintail is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.

Is the Northern Pintail endangered?

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

What sound does the Northern Pintail make?

1 real field recording of the Northern Pintail — including its flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.

How large is the Northern Pintail's range?

The Northern Pintail has a mapped global range of about 28.4 million km².