Birds of the World

Anatidae : Swans, Geese & Ducks

Long-tailed Duck

Clangula hyemalis

adult male - Lothian, Scotland - March 2006

The elongated tail streamers of the Long-tailed Duck are unique among the wildfowl and make adult males of this species unmistakable.

adult male - Lothian, Scotland - March 2006

The Firth of Forth is one of the best places in Britain to see Long-tailed Ducks. They are common in winter from a number of sites in northern Britain, but are particularly easy to see from the sea-wall at Musselburgh.

adult male - Lothian, Scotland - March 2006

adult male - Lothian, Scotland - April 2005

adult male - Lothian, Scotland - April 2005

adult male - Lothian, Scotland - April 2005

Long-tailed Ducks are rarely found away from the coast, but are occasionally blown inland during storms. The young male shown below arrived at the National Water Sports Centre rowing lake in Nottingham in mid-January 2018 and stayed at least until the end of February.

1st-winter male - Nottinghamshire, England - January 2018

1st-winter male - Nottinghamshire, England - January 2018

1st-winter male - Nottinghamshire, England - January 2018

1st-winter male - Nottinghamshire, England - January 2018

1st-winter male - Nottinghamshire, England - January 2018

1st-winter male - Nottinghamshire, England - February 2018