Lesser Bahama Pintail Lesser Bahama Pintail
Lesser Bahama Pintail

Scientific Classification

Common Name
 lesser Bahama pintail, white-cheeked pintail, summer duck
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Anseriformes
Family
Anatidae
Genus Species
Anas bahamensis

Fast Facts

Description
The lesser Bahama pintail is a medium-sized duck. The sexes are similar with white cheeks and throats. The rest of body is light brown with black markings, and the bill is mostly blue with a red patch. The feet and legs are gray. Females are slightly duller and have a lighter colored bill as compared to males.
Size
Approximately 46.3 cm (18.5 in.) in length; wingspan 87.5 cm (35 in.)
Weight
Approximately 1.01 kg (2.25 lbs.)
Diet
Feeds on aquatic plants, grass, seeds and insects
Incubation
Approximately 25 days
Clutch Size
6 to 12 eggs
Fledging Duration
6 weeks
Sexual Maturity
Approximately 1 to 2 years
Life Span
Approximately 32 years or more in wild
Range
This species can be found in the Bahamas, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Peru, Columbia, Venezuela, Chile, Bolivia, Argentina, and Brazil.
Habitat
Inhabits swamps, salt or brackish lagoons, tidal creeks, estuaries, occasionally freshwater pools, and shallow lakes
Population
The overall population is very large with at least 10,000 mature individuals. The population appears to be decreasing but is not severely fragmented.
Status 
IUCN: Least concern
CITES: Not listed
USFWS:  Not listed

Fun Facts

Males are called drakes, females are hens, and young are ducklings.

Bahama pintails feed by dabbling from the surface or tipping in calm, shallow water.


Ecology and Conservation

The Bahamian subspecies is considered vulnerable to habitat destruction, nest predation, and hunting by humans.


Bibliography

Austin, G. Birds of the World. New York. Golden Press, Inc., 1961.

Gotch, A.F. Birds - Their Latin Names Explained. UK. Blandford Books Ltd., 1981.

Johnsgard, P. Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World. Lincoln. Univ. Of Neb. Press, 1978.

Scott, P. A Coloured Key of the Wildfowl of the World. Slimbridge, England. The Wildfowl Trust. 1988.

Todd, F.S. Natural History of Waterfowl. San Diego, Ca. Ibis Publishing Co., 1996.

ducks.org/waterfowling/gallery/index.asp?duck=91

BirdLife International. 2016. Anas bahamensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22680287A9285.3819. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22680287A92853819.en/. Downloaded on 13 November 2018