Birds Active during the day

Long-tailed Duck

Clangula hyemalis

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

A deep-diving specialist of the Arctic, the Long-tailed Duck is famous for its elegant tail plumes and its haunting, musical calls that echo across winter coastlines.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 38-58 cm (15-23 in); Wingspan: 71-80 cm (28-31 in); Weight: 650-1,100 g (1.4-2.4 lb)

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Colors

Complex seasonal plumage. Winter males are mostly white with black/brown patches and long black tail streamers; females are brownish with a white face and dark crown.

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Key Features

Extraordinarily long, needle-like central tail feathers on males
Distinctive dark cheek patch on a white head (winter plumage)
Small, stubby bill with a pink band (males)
Round-headed silhouette with a steep forehead

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours Dawn to dusk

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Season November-March (Winter coastal); June-August (Arctic breeding)

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Diet A carnivorous diver that feeds on mollusks, crustaceans, aquatic insects, and small fish. In their Arctic breeding grounds, they also consume some aquatic vegetation.

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Habitat Breeds on Arctic tundra ponds and lakes; winters in large bodies of water including coastal oceans, bays, and the Great Lakes.

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Where Does the Long-tailed Duck Live?

The Long-tailed Duck is a true nomad of the north, claiming the vast circumpolar reaches of the Arctic as its summer breeding ground. From the remote Alaskan tundra to the frozen coastlines of Northern Russia, Greenland, and Canada, these resilient birds thrive in some of the harshest environments on Earth. As winter takes hold, they undertake impressive migrations to the ice-free coastal waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, reaching as far south as the Mid-Atlantic United States and Central Europe.

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11 Countries

15.2M km² Range

Vulnerable Conservation

CA Canada Russia US United States Greenland NO Norway Iceland SE Sweden Finland Denmark PL Poland DE Germany

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Long-tailed Duck is a master of the deep, renowned for its incredible diving abilities. Unlike most ducks that stay in shallow waters, these birds can dive to depths of 200 feet (60 meters) to forage on the ocean floor. They are highly social and are often seen in large, active flocks during the winter months, constantly shifting and leap-frogging over one another. Their movement is energetic and restless, making them a thrilling sight for coastal observers.

Known as one of the most vocal waterfowl species, they have a haunting, musical call that can be heard from a distance across the water. This "yodeling" is a constant feature of their social interactions. While they are generally wary of human proximity, they can become accustomed to observers in busy harbors or along popular piers where they seek shelter during winter storms.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the Long-tailed Duck on a trail camera requires a coastal or Great Lakes shoreline setup during the winter months. Because these ducks spend most of their time on the water, place your camera on a low-profile mount or a sturdy stake at the water's edge, aimed toward jetties, breakwaters, or calm inlets where they congregate to rest. A low angle—ideally just 6 to 12 inches above the ground—provides an intimate perspective that captures the water's reflection and the bird's unique profile.

Since they are incredibly fast divers, camera settings are critical. Use a camera with a high-speed trigger (0.2s or faster) and set it to a multi-shot burst mode. This increases your chances of catching the male's long tail plumes as he shakes off water or performs a courtship display. If your camera allows for shutter speed priority, aim for 1/1000th of a second or faster to freeze the motion of splashing water and flapping wings during their frequent takeoffs.

Lighting is your best friend when photographing this species. Aim your camera toward the east or west to take advantage of the 'Golden Hour' light, which beautifully illuminates the stark whites and deep blacks of their plumage. Be mindful of the high contrast; on bright sunny days, you may need to underexpose slightly to prevent the white feathers from 'blowing out' and losing detail. During winter, ensure your camera is well-weatherproofed against salt spray if you are near the ocean, as sea salt can quickly corrode equipment.

Baiting is generally not effective or recommended for sea ducks, but you can increase your success by scouting for 'upwellings' or areas with high mussel concentrations. Long-tailed Ducks are creatures of habit and will often return to the same foraging spot day after day. If you notice a flock diving consistently in one area, that is the perfect place to leave your camera for a 48-hour session.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Long-tailed Duck.

Northern Pintail

Much longer neck and slender build; prefers shallow freshwater marshes over deep coastal waters.

Harlequin Duck

Darker overall plumage with complex white 'painted' markings; lacks the long tail streamers of the male Long-tailed Duck.

Bufflehead

Much smaller with a large, puffy white patch on the back of the head; lacks the long tail and dark breast of the Long-tailed Duck.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Long-tailed Ducks are strictly diurnal, meaning they are active during daylight hours. They spend most of their day alternating between intense foraging sessions—diving deep for food—and periods of resting and preening on the water's surface. You are most likely to see active social behavior and 'yodeling' calls during the early morning and late afternoon.

Unless your 'backyard' is a shoreline property on the coast or the Great Lakes, you likely won't attract them in the traditional sense. They do not visit bird feeders or small garden ponds. However, if you live on the coast, maintaining healthy shorelines and reducing water pollution helps preserve the mollusks and crustaceans they rely on for food.

They are primarily carnivores. Their diet consists of aquatic invertebrates like mussels, clams, and snails, as well as crustaceans like crabs and shrimp. Because they can dive deeper than almost any other duck, they access food sources on the ocean floor that other species can't reach.

They are only found in suburban areas that are directly adjacent to large, open bodies of water. During winter, they are common sights in suburban harbors, near piers, and along coastal boardwalks in the northern United States and Canada, but they will never be found in inland suburban yards or small parks.

While both have long tails, the Long-tailed Duck is a stocky sea duck with a much shorter, thicker neck and a blunt bill. Northern Pintails are elegant dabbling ducks with long, slender necks and are usually found in shallow marshes. Additionally, Long-tailed Ducks have a distinct dark cheek patch and a much noisier, musical call.

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