White-cheeked Pintail
At a Glance
Widespread in the Caribbean and South America, this marsh duck sometimes wanders to Florida, mainly in winter. Sightings elsewhere in eastern North America might pertain to escapes from captivity.
All bird guide text and rangemaps adapted from Lives of North American Birds by Kenn Kaufman© 1996, used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Category
Duck-like Birds
IUCN Status
Least Concern
Habitat
Freshwater Wetlands, Lakes, Ponds, and Rivers, Saltwater Wetlands
Range & Identification
Description
17". A small dabbling duck, mostly warm brown, with white cheeks and throat, dark crown, red on base of bill. Pointed tail is pale buff.
Size
About the size of a Crow, About the size of a Mallard or Herring Gull
Tail Shape
Pointed, Wedge-shaped
Songs and Calls
Male gives a squeaky call and female a short quack.
Call Type
Croak/Quack
Sign up for Audubon's newsletter to learn more about birds like the White-cheeked Pintail