Northern Pintail, Anas acuta, drake, male, elongated tail feathers, winter visitor to UK, migratory, elegant, head chocolate brown, beak shiny grey, mud on beak, long pointed feathers, webbed feet, ring on right leg, migration studies, Martin Mere, Wetlands and Wildfowl Trust
Description
A study of an elegant male Pintail on wintering grounds in Lancashire.
Mandarin Duck. This photo depicts the brilliant plumage of this bird. This image was taken by the light of a late winter sun. The bird in this photo is not hunted for food as it tastes bad.
Male and female Mandarin ducks taken at Arundel, Sussex. Not a native of the UK these ornate ducks were originally introduced from China, but escaped from captivity and are now well established. The male is the brightly coloured bird, and the female is dull by comparison with a distinctive white stripe around her eye.