White-cheeked Pintail

Overview

White-cheeked Pintail: Large, heavily spotted dark and light brown duck with striking white cheek patches, blue bill with bright red base, buff pointed tail. Legs and feet are blue-gray. Feeds on aquatic plants, small invertebrates. Swift direct flight with strong rapid wing beats. AKA Bahama Duck.

Range and Habitat

White-cheeked Pintail: Native of West Indies and South America, is a rare to casual visitor in southern Florida. Found near rivers, lakes, and ponds as well as costal marshes and rocky or sandy seashores.

INTERESTING FACTS

The White-cheeked Pintail was first described in 1758 by Carolus Linnaeus, Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist. It is also known as the Bahama Pintail. A group of ducks has many collective nouns, including a "brace", "flush", "paddling", "raft", and "team" of ducks.