Northern Pintail/Biorearrach (Anas acuta)

The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson
Shorebirds of Ireland with Jim Wilson.
Freshwater Birds of Ireland with Jim Wilson
www.markcarmodyphotography.com

The Pintail or Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) is a duck with wide geographic distribution that breeds in the northern areas of Europe, Asia and North America. It is migratory and winters south of its breeding range to the equator. Unusually for a bird with such a large range, it has no geographical subspecies.

This is a large duck, and the male's long central tail feathers give rise to the species' English and scientific names. Both sexes have blue-grey bills and grey legs and feet. The drake is more striking, having a thin white stripe running from the back of its chocolate-coloured head down its neck to its mostly white undercarriage. The drake also has attractive grey, brown, and black patterning on its back and sides. The hen's plumage is more subtle and subdued, with drab brown feathers similar to those of other female dabbling ducks. Hens make a coarse quack and the drakes a flute-like whistle.

The northern pintail is a bird of open wetlands which nests on the ground, often some distance from water. It feeds by dabbling for plant food and adds small invertebrates to its diet during the nesting season. It is highly gregarious when not breeding, forming large mixed flocks with other species of duck. This duck's population is affected by predators, parasites and avian diseases. Human activities, such as agriculture, hunting and fishing, have also had a significant impact on numbers. Nevertheless, owed to the huge range and large population of this species, it is not threatened globally. (wikipedia)

However, the Pintail is Red-listed in Ireland, due to a significant decrease in the numbers wintering in Ireland. The European population has been assessed as Declining, due to a moderate ongoing decline.

This is a male (top) and a juvenile male or moulting male (bottom) in flight, taken while they flew across the causeway at Bull Island in Dublin Bay. It is a great place to go and watch the Pintail feed at close quarters. Such a beautiful duck. Another shot taken with the Sony system in the same session as the earlier posted Grey Heron.

Taken in: Ireland / Leinster / Bull Island (show map)

Taken on: December 26, 2022

Tags:

Bird

Waterfowl

Northern Pintail

Anas acuta

Biorearrach

Europe

Ireland

Dublin

Dublin Bay

North Bull Island

Mark

Camera

Sony

200-600

200-600 G OSS FE 5.6-6.3

a9ii

books

Birds of Ireland

Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide

Freshwater Birds of Ireland

Shorebirds of Ireland

web

Carmo

CarmoPolice

CarmoPolis

Carmody

Mark Carmody

markcarmodyphotography

markcarmodyphotography.com

SON01303 « less

Sets appears in: • Birds of Ireland

Groups appears in: • Wildlife Photography • Ireland more » • Birding & Butterfly Enthusiasts • Birds , Birds Birds • Bird Fanatics! (No Limits) • Birds of Britain and Ireland • Birds of the Western Palearctic (WP) • World Wide Photographers • A Guide To The Birds Of Europe • Bird and Nature Photography • El Paso Joe's Place - NO invite needed - Just great photos • Irishwildlife • Born Free, Living Free • NATURE'S BEST • Wildlife Of Great Britain and Ireland. • Birding In The Wild • Oiseaux d' Europe • Sony Alpha World • The Birds Of Flickr • Birds Birds Birds ! (Check out the new discussion) • Sony Alpha Bird Photographers • Sony Alpha Community • Nature-Irish Nature(No man made items to be seen) • BirdWatching Magazine • BBC Springwatch (Official) • BirdTrack • Birds of Europe • Beauty of Waterfowl • Irish Birds in Flight • European Birds and Wildlife • Ireland's Wildlife • BirdWatch Ireland • Atlas photo group • Avibase • East Cork Bird Trail • Irelands Wild Atlantic Way • Birdingmaps « less

Camera: Sony ILCE-9M2, f/8.0, 1/4000 sec, 600mm, ISO 500 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Sony ILCE-9M2
Lens:	Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
Aperture:	f/8.0
Exposure Time:	1/4000 sec
Focal Length:	600mm
ISO:	500
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Aperture-priority AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	Capture One 21 Macintosh
Show full info

Stats: 1,476 views / 5 comments