Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalis (Linnaeus, 1758)
LN
LOTDU
2120
Family: Anseriformes > Anatidae
The Long-tailed Duck is a winter visitor to UK coastal waters, arriving from their arctic breeding grounds.
Almost all of the world’s breeding Long-tailed Ducks are found within the Arctic Circle and, as such, it is hardly surprising that the majority of those wintering in the UK do so in the north, around Shetland, Orkney and north-east Scotland. Smaller numbers are found further south along England's east coast, and a few individuals may be found on inland waters.
BirdTrack data indicate that Long-tailed Ducks begin arriving in UK waters during October and reach their peak in mid-November. It is estimated that around 14,000 birds spend the winter here.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Long-tailed Duck
Identification
Long-tailed Duck identification is usually straightforward.
SONGS AND CALLS
Listen to example recordings of the main vocalisations of Long-tailed Duck, provided by xeno-canto contributors.
Call
Develop your bird ID skills with our training courses
Our interactive online courses are a great way to develop your bird identification skills, whether you're new to the hobby or a competent birder looking to hone your abilities.
Browse training coursesStatus and Trends
Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
| UK Birds of Conservation Concern | Red listed |
| Species of European Conservation Concern | Least Concern |
| IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global) |
Vulnerable 
|
| Schedule 1 license required (to disturb) | Yes |
| Birds Directive Annex 1 | No |
|
Listed on the Annexes of
|
WCA(I), WBD(II*), Bern(III), Bonn(II), AEWA |
POPULATION SIZE
| UK (winter) | 14 thousand (2011-15) |
| BOU Category | A |
|
First Record
|
1694 |
POPULATION CHANGE
| UK winter population |
-16% decrease (1995/96 to 2020/21) |
DISTRIBUTION
In winter, Long-tailed Ducks tend to occur well offshore in deep waters, so the numbers detected from the shore may give a misleading impression of distribution and abundance. During Bird Atlas 2007–11
-
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
| No. occupied in winter | 500 |
| % occupied in winter | 17 |
European Distribution Map
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
The small range expansion in winter has mostly been in marginal areas; elsewhere the population has declined.
-
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution Change 1968–72 to 2008–11.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution Change 1981–84 to 2007–11
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Change in occupied 10-km squares in the UK
| % change in range in breeding season (1968–72 to 2008–11) | -100% |
| % change in range in winter (1981–84 to 2007–11) | +5.6% |
SEASONALITY
Long-tailed Ducks are locally common winter visitors, mostly present from October to May.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Foreign locations of birds ringed or recovered in Britain & Ireland
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Long-tailed Duck, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
|
Number of Broods
|
1 |
|
Egg Size
|
54×38 mm Weight = 43 g (of which 7% is shell) |
SURVIVAL & LONGEVITY
View number ringed each year in the Online Ringing Report
|
Maximum Age from Ringing
|
20 years 0 months 4 days (set in 1987)
|
|
Typical Lifespan
|
5 years with breeding typically at 2 year |
|
Adult Survival
|
0.72
|
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
|
Ring size
|
F |
|
Field Codes
|
2-letter: LN | 5-letter code: LOTDU | Euring: 2120 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Gaelic: Lach-bhinn
Welsh: Hwyaden Gynffonhir
Catalan: ànec glacial
Czech: hoholka lední
Danish: Havlit
Dutch: IJseend
Estonian: aul
Finnish: alli
French: Harelde kakawi
German: Eisente
Hungarian: jegesréce
Icelandic: Hávella
Irish: Lacha Earrfhada
Italian: Moretta codona
Latvian: kakaulis
Lithuanian: ledine antis
Norwegian: Havelle
Polish: lodówka
Portuguese: pato-rabilongo
Slovak: ladovka dlhochvostá
Slovenian: zimska raca
Spanish: Pato havelda
Swedish: alfågel
Folkname: Ice Duck, Sea Pheasant
Links to more information from ConservationEvidence.com
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