Northern pintail duck

Description:

Pintail ducks in North America have been badly affected by avian diseases, with the breeding population falling from more than 10 million in 1957 to 3.5 million by 1964. Although the species has recovered from that low point, the breeding population in 1999 was 30% below the long-term average, despite years of major efforts focused on restoring the species.

Habitat:

Bodie Island National Wildlife Refuge

Notes:

This was my first time seeing these ducks and I found both the male (first) and female (second) very attractive.