Alternative Names (Synonyms)

Names for newly-hatched

Names for non-breeding males or other colour-phases

References

Species Author

Major References

Aviculture references:
B7, B29, B30, B31, B40, B94, B95, B96, B97, B108, B128.w1, B128.w2, B129
D1, D8

Legislation references:
W5.Oct01

• Wildlife and Countryside Directorate, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR)
• British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
• The Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
• Earthkind
• The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT)

• Waterfowl Management Guidelines
• Proceedings of the Waterfowl Information Network Conference 1999
• Wetlands, Industry and Wildlife
• London Waterfowl Project FAQ's

TAXA Group (where information has been collated for an entire group on a modular basis)

Parent Group

• Waterfowl
• Dabbling Ducks
• Pintails

Specific Needs Group referenced in Management Techniques

Aviculture Information

Notes

• Dabbling Ducks are generally hardy, easy to maintain and easy to breed. Shelter may be required by some of the smaller species in winter. They should be provided with cover (including marginal pond cover) and loafing areas as well as water. A pen which is 50% water is suggested. The water may be shallow (i.e. no more than two feet deep is required), and muddy areas for dabbling in are also appreciated. These ducks are generally good in mixed collections, although the smaller and quieter species may be bullied. Territorial disputes between ducks of the same species may be avoided by keeping only one pair of each species in an enclosure, unless the area is very large. For a single pair of ducks a pen are of 50 to 100 square metres, depending on the size of duck, should be provided.
• A diet based on wheat and pellets is suggested, with maintenance pellets changed to breeders pellets for the breeding season. Bread and greenfood are also appreciated. Grit should always be available, with soluble grit (e.g. oystershell grit) as a calcium source when breeding.
• Most species are ground nesters and both close ground cover and ground level nest boxes should be provided. Hand-rearing is generally preferred, as these ducks are generally poor parents in captive conditions, particularly in enclosures shared with other waterfowl. These ducks are prone to hybridization, particularly with closely related species, which should be kept apart from one another.

(B7, B29, B30, B40, B94, B128.w1, D1)

Species-specific information:

• Northern pintail are winter-hardy, easy to manage, and may be kept in mixed collections (although drakes may mate with other species) and a wide variety of enclosure types. A reasonable size enclosure with large water area and  shores well covered in vegetation is preferred for breeding. Feed as other dabbling ducks: pellets, wheat, bread and greenfood.
• These ducks breed readily. Eggs may be laid from April to May, in low ground cover or nest boxes or baskets. The duck may be left to incubate and parent-rear, or may lay a second clutch if the first is removed, and even a third clutch. Rearing of ducklings is straightforward; they may be reared on chick crumbs with additional duckweed or fine-chopped lettuce and fine-chopped hard-boiled egg initially.
• Hybridisation has been reported with most Anas spp.,also with Aythya spp., Netta peposaca - Rosy-billed pochard,  Netta rufina - Red-crested pochard and Aix sponsa - Wood duck.

(B29, B30, B31, B40, B94, B95, B96, B97, B108, B128.w2, B129).

Aviornis UK Ringing Scheme recommended average closed ring size: L 10.0mm (D8).

• Accommodation of Casualty Waterfowl
• Rearing of Birds - Artificial Rearing - Waterfowl considerations
• Catching and Handling of Waterfowl
• Feeding of Casualty Waterfowl
• Release of Casualty Waterfowl

Measurement & Weight

Head

Legs

Plumage

Wings brown-grey, with tips of greater coverts cinnamon, secondaries metallic green, black subterminal, white tips. Speculum metallic green with front border cinnamon, rear border black and white.

Eclipse: plumage as female but tertials grey and elongated, wing retains pattern, bill remains brighter

Newly-hatched Characteristics

Nest placement and structure

Egg clutches

Incubation

Hatching

Fledging

Sexual Maturity

Feeding Behaviour

Parental Behaviour

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Social Behaviour

Sexual Behaviour

Predation in Wild

Activity Patterns

Adults

Newly-hatched

Distribution and Movement (Migration etc.)

Across most of Nearctic and Palearctic.

Migrates to lower latitudes in winter: to Mexico, Central America, West Indies, southern Europe, Middle East, North, West and East Africa (beyond equator in East Africa, southern Asia, Japan.

Accidental to Bear Island, Kuwait, Azores.

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Habitat

Intraspecific variation

Conservation Status

Widespread and common (B1).

• This species is listed on Schedule 1 - Part 2 (Birds protected by special penalties: Notes on the revised schedules state "Birds and their eggs protected by special penalties during the close season, 1 February to 31 August (21 February to 31 August below high water mark) but which may be killed or taken at other times") of the LUK2 - Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 of the United Kingdom. (W5.Oct01)
• This species is listed on Schedule 2 - Part I (Birds which may be killed or taken outside the close season, 1 February to 31 August except where indicated otherwise: Notes on the revised schedules state "NOTE: The close season for ducks and geese when below high water mark is 21 February to 31 August") of the LUK2 - Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 of the United Kingdom. (W5.Oct01)
• This species is listed on Schedule 3 - Part 3 (Birds which may be sold alive at all times if ringed and bred in captivity: Notes on the revised schedules state "Birds which may be sold dead from 1 September to 28 February (NB: It is illegal to offer for sale at any time of the year any wild goose, moorhen, gadwall or goldeneye, although they are legitimate quarry species outside the close season)) of the LUK2 - Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 of the United Kingdom. (W5.Oct01)

Captive Populations

Trade