Long-tailed Duck

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Long-tailed Duck in the UK

Long-tailed Duck is a winter visitor from Arctic breeding grounds and does not nest in Britain. The UK winter estimate is about 14,000 birds. Most are in Shetland, Orkney and off north-east Scotland, with smaller numbers down the east coast of England and the occasional bird inland. Counts have fallen steadily since the early 1990s, though flocks far offshore are hard to survey, so the true trend is uncertain. It is Red-listed in the UK and classed as Vulnerable globally. Low breeding success and losses on the wintering grounds are both thought to be involved.

Where and when to see a Long-tailed Duck

Scan the sea between October and April, with the highest numbers in midwinter. Good areas include the voes of Shetland, Scapa Flow in Orkney, the Moray Firth off Burghead and Nairn, and the Firth of Forth off Musselburgh and Gullane. In England, the Northumberland coast and north Norfolk get small numbers. Pick a calm day with the light behind you and use a telescope: birds dive constantly and spend little time on the surface. In March and April, groups of males call and chase females.

Habitat, diet and field notes

Habitat: Coastal seas (winter).
Diet: Molluscs, crustaceans.
Field note: Yodelling males; offshore winter.

How to identify a Long-tailed Duck

Small and compact, nearer a Tufted Duck than an Eider in size, with a round head and a stubby bill. Few ducks change plumage as much through the year. The winter male is mostly white with a dark cheek patch, black breast and wings, a pink band on the bill and two long, thin tail feathers. Females and young birds are brown above and white below, with a white face and a dark smudge on the cheek. In flight the wings are all dark with no wingbar, and beat mostly below the body. Flocks fly low and swing from side to side.

Call and song

Males are loud for a sea duck. The call is a nasal, yodelling 'ow-ow-owlee' that carries across calm water and is given in chorus from late winter. Females make a low quack. Heard something you cannot place? Bird Hear identifies UK birds from a 10 second recording, free in your browser.

Confusion species

• Common Goldeneye: Goldeneye has a peaked head, a large white wing patch in flight and, on females, a brown head with no white on the face.
• Black Guillemot: A winter Black Guillemot is also pale and sits on inshore water, but has a thin pointed bill and a white oval on each wing.
• Northern Pintail: A drake Pintail has a long tail too, but it is a long-necked dabbling duck of estuaries and fresh water.

Month by month

A winter visitor, typically in the UK from October through to April. Numbers peak in January. See the January birding guide for what else is about. More on the season in UK winter wildfowl.

Taller bars mean more birds about. Grey means it is usually absent.

Conservation status and Birdedex points

In the Birdedex the Long-tailed Duck is a Rare tier bird, worth +8 points when you log one. It is Red-listed in Birds of Conservation Concern 5, the highest level of concern in the UK. It is protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, so it is an offence to disturb it at or near the nest. We blur the location of every sighting of this species.

Where to see it

Reserves where the Long-tailed Duck is on the list:

• Islay
• RSPB Titchwell Marsh

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Red-necked GrebeRare · Coastal seas (winter)
• Surf ScoterRare · Coastal seas (winter vagrant)
• Velvet ScoterRare · Coastal seas (winter)
• Great Northern DiverUncommon · Coastal seas (winter)
• Greater ScaupRare · Coastal bays (winter)
• Horned Lark (Shore Lark)Rare · Coastal saltmarsh (winter)

Long-tailed Duck: quick answers

Where can I see a Long-tailed Duck in the UK?

Scotland gives the best chance, from harbours and headlands in Shetland, Orkney, the Moray Firth and the Forth. In England try Northumberland or north Norfolk on a calm winter day. One or two also turn up on inland reservoirs in most winters and can stay for weeks.

When is the best time to see Long-tailed Duck?

December to March. The first arrive in October and most have gone by early May. Late winter is best for hearing the males, and by April some are moulting into their darker breeding plumage.

What does a Long-tailed Duck eat?

Mussels, cockles and other shellfish, crustaceans and small fish, all taken by diving. It feeds in deeper water than most sea ducks and can stay under for a long time. That is why flocks are often well offshore.

Kit that helps

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