Conservation of the Northern Pintail Anas acuta Kyle Sams

Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae Genus: Anas Species: acuta

Northern Pintail Identification Drake Avg. length is 25” Avg. weight is 2.26 lbs. Chocolate brown head White neck, breast & belly, white finger up back of neck Pale grey bill, with black stripe down center Gray flanks & back, w/ black centers to back feathers Black under-tail coverts Long black central tail feathers Green speculum w/ white rear border & chestnut forward border

Identification Hen Avg. length is 21.4” Avg. weight is 1.91 lbs. Tan head & neck Mottled tan & dark brown body, paler on belly Grey bill Brown speculum & white rear border

Sub-Species Eaton’s Pintail’s Kerguelen Pintail (Anas eatoni eatoni) –Confined to Kerguelen islands off S. America Crozet Pintail (Anas eatoni drygalskyi) –Confined to Crozet islands, also off S. America

Pintail Migration Among the first ducks to migrate –Most migrating through Cali. Others using the Mississippi flyway, to LA, TN, AL, & MS Also common visitors in Central America

Breeding Range Breed from Alaska, central Canadian Arctic, Western Greenland, central USA –Boreal forest –Alaskan coastal areas –Prairie potholes

Non-Breeding Range Mostly central California, Mexico & Gulf coasts, Texas panhandle, some on Atlantic coast –Over ½ migrate through Cali.

Northern Pintail Range

Mating Monogamous –Same pair mate for life Sexually mature at 1 year old Mate in late April –As late as the end of July

Pintail Breeding Pairs

The breeding pair numbers was obtained by the Black Duck Joint Venture helicopter survey

Nesting Among the first to Nest Nests in open country, w/ shallow, seasonal wetlands, & low vegetation Copulation takes place in the water Nests is a scrape in ground in brush/grass, lined w/ grass & down; usually not near water Hen incubates eggs alone –Usually takes days

Young Clutch size is usually 8, range 3-14 Precocial young Fledge in 6-7 weeks Around ¾ live to fledge –Half of those live to breed –About 37.5%

Feeding Characteristics Pintail’s are DABBLERS –Upend while in the water to feed Omnivorous –Feed on seeds, nutlets of aquatic plants, also eats mollusks, crabs, worms, fairy shrimp, & other aquatic insects Insects are more important to females during pre-laying & laying periods

Predation People are #1 Coyotes Skunks Gulls, crows, magpies Badgers Raccoons

Population History Pop. depends on wet-dry cycle In 1955, the breeding pop. was around 6 million –Fluctuating between 2 & 10 million In the 1970’s pop’s recovered when the wetland were good, but fell when prairies were dry & wetland conditions were poor Agriculture has cause most of the problems These factors combined have caused declining pintail population since the 1980’s

Conservation Status Protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act Global status is at G5, secure Not endangered, pop. Are lower than desired N. American pop. was around 6 million –Reduced to about 2 million birds according to GDNR

Northern Pintail Distribution

Management Protect & restore wetlands Adequate migration & wintering habitats must be protected, restored, & enhanced Protect northern boreal & tundra habitats Develop farm programs compatible w/ pintail life style Manage for moist soil to stimulate the growth of native plants Manage for available cover Cut back on harvest Proper use of fertilizers, pesticides, & herbicides

Economical Importance One of the most sought after ducks by duck hunters Damage grain crops and cost farmers money

Interesting Facts Range over more of the Earth than any other waterfowl