Clangula hyemalis
Scientific name:
Clangula hyemalis
Family:
Ducks, geese and swansConservation status:
Red
Length:
58cm to 60cm
Wingspan:
73cm to 79cm
Weight:
520g to 950g
The long-tailed duck is a small sea duck and as the name suggests has long tail feathers. Their heads are small and round with straight-ish foreheads. In winter, males are predominately white with brown markings. Females are generally browner compared to males. When in flight, these ducks display their white bellies and dark wings.
These birds are visitors to the UK in winter and passage migrant. They're seen most commonly from northern Scotland to around Northumberland.
The long-tailed duck does not breed here in the UK, but it extremely important for their wintering sites to be protected as they are extremely vulnerable to oil pollution out at sea.
Their diets mainly consist of small fish, clams, crabs, cockles and mussels.
Get the latest BirdFacts delivered straight to your inbox
© 2023 - Bird Fact. All rights reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission.