ODNR Division of Wildlife - A to Z Species Guide - Long-tailed Duck

 Long-tailed Duck

long-tailed duck
 Diving ducks frequent large, deep lakes and rivers, as well as coastal bays and inlets. When launching into flight, most of this group patter along the water before becoming airborne. They feed by diving, often to considerable depths. Since their wings are smaller in proportion to the size and weight of their bodies, they have a more rapid wingbeat than puddle ducks.

Long known as "oldsquaw," the name of this handsome sea duck was recently changed to the more politically correct current name.


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Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalis 

At-a-Glance

• Type: Diving Duck

• Incubation: 24-29 days

• Clutch Size: 5-9 eggs

• Young Fledge: 35-40 days after hatching

• Typical foods: aquatic plants, mollusks, fish, and shellfish
Description
The long-tailed duck is a slim, brightly plumaged sea duck. It has a black and white pattern on its body and head, although there is much more white on the head. They have a short, orange and black bill and the males have a long, pin-like tail. They are smaller than the scoters and the eiders.

Habitat and Habits
Ohio just misses the peak Great Lakes migration, on Lake Michigan tens of thousands occur routinely. They are much scarcer here; a dozen or so reports in a good year; however, thousands are reported from eastern Lake Erie. The flight of this species is swift and low with constantly changing flock formations. The long-tailed duck is one of the most vocal ducks. The drakes have a loud and pleasant caloo, caloo and the females make soft quacks.

Reproduction and Care of the Young
The long-tailed duck breeds in Alaska and arctic Canada, where it lays its eggs in a down-lined cup of grass on tundra near water.