{"id":8702,"date":"2026-11-03T23:09:26","date_gmt":"2026-11-03T23:09:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/?p=8702"},"modified":"2026-11-03T23:13:26","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T23:13:26","slug":"lords-of-the-north-the-long-tailed-duck","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/2026\/11\/03\/lords-of-the-north-the-long-tailed-duck\/","title":{"rendered":"Lords of the North: The Long-tailed Duck"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Taxonomy&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Scientific name:<\/strong> Clangula <em>hyemalis<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Order:<\/strong> Anseriformes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Family:<\/strong> Anatidae&nbsp; <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-background\">Part 1 Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Description and Identification<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Long-tailed Duck (also known as the Oldsquaw) is a medium-sized sea duck, immediately recognizable by its striking patterns and unique shape. One of its most defining characteristics is its complex seasonal molting schedule (this bird likes to have a variable wardrobe) it is one of the very few birds that undergoes three distinct plumages per year (basic, alternate, and supplemental) (Karwinkel et al., 2025).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2026\/11\/LTD-2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"560\" height=\"631\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2026\/11\/LTD-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8708\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2026\/11\/LTD-2.png 560w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2026\/11\/LTD-2-266x300.png 266w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Various plumages of the Long-Tailed duck (Avian Report, n.d.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Breeding Males (Alternate):<\/strong> Breeding males display a striking plumage that is mostly black and dark brown. The head is entirely black except for a large white-to-light-grey patch surrounding the eye, while the body features a varied pattern of brown feathers. A clean white belly and their signature long tail feathers complete the look.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Non Breeding Males (Basic):<\/strong> The non-breeding plumage of the male is the iconic look of this species. Mostly white with black wings and long black tail feathers, the head features three distinct color patches, a grey patch around the eye, a black patch on the cheek, and a brown patch on the lower neck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Females and Juveniles:<\/strong> Both juveniles and females of the Long-Tailed Duck look similar, a mostly mottled greyish brown body, and a pale coloured head with some brown throughout, a white belly, and no characteristic long tail feathers.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Behavior&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Long-Tailed Duck is extremely adapted to aquatic life. These birds only walk on dry land to breed and rear their young. Meaning that they are quite exceptional at swimming and diving for their food. This species of bird actually holds the world record for the deepest diving waterfowl species, I bet you don&#8217;t have a world record, (New Hampshire Audubon, n.d.). To make these big dives the Long-Tailed Duck uses its wings to propel itself while swimming, this is quite unique as most diving ducks only use their feet to propel themselves underwater, with exception to a few other species like eiders and scoters.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While courting, the male pursues the female and puts on a display of dances and songs to impress her (Alison, 1975), this combined with his magnificent plumage make for a date the female just wouldn&#8217;t say no to. See the link below from Marek Jackowski, 2021 for a recording of courtship displays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-1 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,245,203) 0%,rgb(182,227,212) 32%,rgb(51,167,181) 57%)\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=oK6KOgO81Ls\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=oK6KOgO81Ls<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Range&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The range of the Long-Tailed Duck is vast. This bird likes to travel! The range&nbsp; spans across North America, Greenland, northern Europe, and Russia. The Long-Tailed Duck divides their annual cycle between two distinct habitats, their breeding season located in the Arctic and subarctic tundra, and the wintering season where they live almost exclusively along the northern coast lines of various countries (Cornell Lab of Ornithology, n.d.).<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2026\/11\/LTD-3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"585\" height=\"410\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2026\/11\/LTD-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8709\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2026\/11\/LTD-3.png 585w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2026\/11\/LTD-3-300x210.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 585px) 100vw, 585px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Range of the Long-Tailed Duck (Avian Report, 2026)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Nesting and early life&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During the late spring and summer months (June to August), Long-tailed Ducks inhabit the northernmost reaches of the globe. The nest of the Long-Tailed Duck is quite basic compared to some other birds, they scrape their nests into the ground and line them with willow or birch leaves and heavily insulated with soft down feathers. The females lay between 6 to 9 eggs seasonally, the eggs are incubated for 24 to 29 days until the ducklings hatch. Once they do, the ducklings are almost immediately self-reliant, leaving the nest at only 48 hours old! The ducklings will go on to feed themselves on small aquatic life. If a location is scarce on food the mother may lead her ducklings to a different tundra pond sometimes joining other long tailed parents. Eventually Around 35 to 40 days old, the ducklings grow their flight feathers and learn to fly before migrating to the sea and continuing to live on coastal oceans (White et al., 2009).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Non breeding season<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After their migrations (November \u2013 March) Long-tailed Ducks shift to entirely open, ice-free marine environments and select deep inland waters across the Northern Hemisphere. Opposed to other duck species, Long-tailed Ducks routinely winter much further offshore, actively exploiting deep ocean shoals tens of kilometers from land.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Molting&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2026\/11\/LTD-4.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"526\" height=\"662\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2026\/11\/LTD-4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8711\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.7945901463379728;width:429px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2026\/11\/LTD-4.png 526w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2026\/11\/LTD-4-238x300.png 238w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 526px) 100vw, 526px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Behavioral patterns of the Long-Tailed Duck (Robertson &amp; Savard, 2020)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Long-Tailed Duck undergoes 3 molts per year. (Cornell Lab of Ornithology, n.d.).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Late Winter \/ Early Spring Molt:<\/strong> from March to April before heading north, all Long- Tailed Ducks undergo a partial molt, they drop their winter basic feathers and grow their dark brown\/black breeding plumage. This allows for camouflage when nesting for the females and for mate attraction in the males.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Summer Molt :<\/strong> During late June to August right after females settle on their eggs, males and females undergo a prebasic molt and shed all their wing flight feathers at once, rendering them completely flightless for 3 to 4 weeks while growing new primaries.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Autumn Molt:<\/strong> As migration south wraps up on the wintering grounds around September to November, both sexes undergo a third partial molt. They shed their dark summer feathers and grow their iconic, mostly-white winter (basic) plumage complete with their signature long tail feathers which they wear throughout the cold winter months.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-2\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">Part 2: The threat of decline&nbsp;<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conservation status&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On a global scale, the IUCN lists the Long-tailed Duck as Vulnerable (Environment and Climate Change Canada, 2019), this is because its numbers have declined over the last few decades. The biggest red flag came from the Baltic Sea (one of their main winter hangout spots) where counts crashed by more than 60% in just twenty years. Tracking data shows these ducks aren&#8217;t just moving to new areas, their total population is shrinking. They&#8217;re experiencing multiple risks to their species, getting caught in deep commercial fishing nets, dealing with chronic oil pollution in busy shipping lanes, and facing rapid climate shifts on their Arctic nesting grounds that mess with their food supply and habitat (Marchowski et al., 2022).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The biggest threat to these birds is commercial fishing, due to their method of food retrieval (diving up to 60 to 70 meters) they are commonly caught as bycatch. An estimated 76,000 sea ducks die every year in commercial gillnets. Most of these birds caught as bycatch are adults, this in turn keeps populations down as it takes 2 to 3 years for a long tail duck to become sexually mature (\u017dydelis et al., 2009).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On top of fishing gear, oil pollution poses another massive hazard due to how these ducks socialize. During the non-breeding season, they form massive, tightly packed flocks out in open coastal waters. If a ship illegally dumps bilge oil or a major spill happens in a high-traffic shipping channel, a single slick can sweep through a raft and coat thousands of birds at once. The oil strips the insulation from their feathers, leading to fast onset hypothermia. These immediate marine threats with long-term climate shifts, and invasive species killing off their food sources and thawing their habitats and these birds are in some big trouble (White et al., 2009).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What can be done to help?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sadly it is difficult to actively fight against the dangers these birds are facing. Due to their large range across multiple countries there are simply too many political jurisdictions involved to enforce a single set of laws. A protective policy passed in one country doesn&#8217;t mean much once they cross into another territory. Though international agreements like the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) can help inform multiple jurisdictions at once, it only goes as far as people enforce it (AEWA, 2015). Other actions include working directly with commercial fisheries to test alternative gear like pot-traps, using LED lights on bottom-set nets to keep diving ducks away, and establishing Marine Protected Areas over key offshore wintering sites (HELCOM, 2018). It\u2019s an uphill battle, but coordinating conservation across the entire flyway is really the only way to give these ducks a fighting chance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Summary&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Long-tailed Duck (<em>Clangula hyemalis<\/em>) is a specialized sea duck known for its unique three-molt annual cycle, diving capabilities (reaching depths of up to 60 meters with the help of wing propulsion), and an expansive polar range split between Arctic breeding tundra and northern coastal marine wintering grounds. Despite its historical abundance, the species is globally classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to its severe drops in population. Most notably greater than 60% decline in its major Baltic Sea wintering grounds. Hopefully this beautiful duck will bounce back from all the negative impacts its species has faced.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-background\">References <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">Photos<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Avian Report. (n.d.).<\/strong> <em>Quebec ducks, geese, and swans guide<\/em>. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/avianreport.com\/quebec-ducks-geese-swans-guide\/\">https:\/\/avianreport.com\/quebec-ducks-geese-swans-guide\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Avian Report. (2026).<\/strong> <em>Wildlife researcher observing birds in a natural habitat<\/em> [Photograph]. Birds of the World. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/birdsoftheworld.org\/bow\/species\/lotduc\/cur\/introduction\">https:\/\/birdsoftheworld.org\/bow\/species\/lotduc\/cur\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Robertson, G. J., &amp; Savard, J.-P. L. (2020).<\/strong> Long-tailed Duck (<em>Clangula hyemalis<\/em>): Media figures [Multimedia]. In S. M. Billerman (Ed.), <em>Birds of the World<\/em>. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/birdsoftheworld.org\/bow\/species\/lotduc\/cur\/introduction?media=figures\">https:\/\/birdsoftheworld.org\/bow\/species\/lotduc\/cur\/introduction?media=figures<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">Other<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>AEWA.<\/strong> (2015). International single species action plan for the conservation of the Long-tailed Duck (<em>Clangula hyemalis<\/em>) (AEWA Technical Series No. 57). Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.unep-aewa.org\/publication\/international-single-species-action-plan-conservation-long-tailed-duck-ts-no57\">https:\/\/www.unep-aewa.org\/publication\/international-single-species-action-plan-conservation-long-tailed-duck-ts-no57<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Alison, R. M.<\/strong> (1975). Breeding biology and behavior of the Oldsquaw (<em>Clangula hyemalis<\/em> L.). <em>Ornithological Monographs<\/em>, (18), 1\u201352. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/ornithological_monographs\/10\/\">https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/ornithological_monographs\/10\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Cornell Lab of Ornithology.<\/strong> (n.d.). Long-tailed Duck life history. <em>All About Birds<\/em>. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Long-tailed_Duck\/lifehistory\">https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Long-tailed_Duck\/lifehistory<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>HELCOM.<\/strong> (2018). <em>State of the Baltic Sea: Second HELCOM holistic assessment 2011\u20132016<\/em>. Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission. Baltic Sea Environment Proceedings No. 155. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/stateofthebalticsea.helcom.fi\/\">https:\/\/stateofthebalticsea.helcom.fi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Jackowski, M.<\/strong> (2021, January 22). <em>Long-tailed duck<\/em> [Video]. YouTube. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=oK6KOgO81Ls\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=oK6KOgO81Ls<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Karwinkel, T., Pollet, I. L., Kruckenberg, H., Glazov, P., Loshchagina, J., Kondratyev, A., Merkel, B., Bellebaum, J., &amp; Quillfeldt, P.<\/strong> (2025). Individual variation in migration and wintering patterns of Long-tailed Ducks (<em>Clangula hyemalis<\/em>) from a population in decline. <em>Ecology and Evolution<\/em>, 15(4), e71187. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/ece3.71187\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/ece3.71187<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Marchowski, D., \u0141awicki, \u0141., Gu\u00f0mundsson, G. A., &amp; Neubauer, G.<\/strong> (2022). Response of Long-tailed Duck (<em>Clangula hyemalis<\/em>) to the change in the main prey availability in its Baltic wintering ground. <em>Animals<\/em>, 12(3), Article 355. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ani12030355\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ani12030355<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>White, T. P., Veit, R. R., &amp; Perry, M. C.<\/strong> (2009). Feeding ecology of long-tailed ducks (<em>Clangula hyemalis<\/em>) wintering on the Nantucket Shoals. <em>Waterbirds<\/em>, 32(2), 293\u2013299. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1675\/063.032.0209\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1675\/063.032.0209<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u017dydelis, R., Bellebaum, J., \u00d6sterblom, H., Vetemaa, M., Schirmeister, B., Stipniece, A., Dagys, M., van Eerden, M., &amp; Garthe, S.<\/strong> (2009). Bycatch in gillnet fisheries: An overlooked threat to waterbird populations. <em>Biological Conservation<\/em>, 142(7), 1269\u20131281. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.biocon.2009.02.025\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.biocon.2009.02.025<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Part 1 Introduction Description and Identification The Long-tailed Duck (also known as the Oldsquaw) is a medium-sized sea duck, immediately recognizable by its striking patterns and unique shape. One of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6340,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8702","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8702","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6340"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8702"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8702\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8719,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8702\/revisions\/8719"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8702"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8702"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8702"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}