Eaton's Pintail
Anas eatoni
A small, mostly cinnamon-colored duck with dark brown cheek spot and a bluish bill with dark central ridge. Males have elongated central tail feathers and a green wing panel that is visible in flight. Mostly found on inland fresh water sources including lakes, streams and bogs. In winter forms coastal flocks of up to 200. Eaton’s Pintail is easily separated from the only other duck in its range, Mallard, by its much smaller size and its plain cinnamon appearance.
Identification
The Eaton’s pintail is a small duck, 35-45 cm in length, with a 65-70 cm wingspan and weighing 430-502 g in males and 400-500 g in females. Its adult male and female plumage is similarly brownish overall with cinnamon underparts, though the two sexes can be separated by the color of the speculum (green in males and brown in females) and the longer central retrices in males. Juveniles are similar to adults in plumage, but more streaked below.
Taxonomy
While previously considered a subspecies of northern pintail, the Eaton’s pintail is much smaller (one female Eaton’s pintail weighed 450 g, while the mean mass of female northern pintails is 871 g) and the male Eaton's pintail is female-like in patterning, unlike the sexually dimorphic northern pintail.<p>The species was described by Richard Bowdler Sharpe based on specimens collected by Alfred Edwin Eaton. In addition to Eaton’s specimens, Sharpe also noted that earlier specimens were collected during the Ross expedition.<p>There are two subspecies: A. eatoni eatoni (Kerguelen pintail) and A. eatoni drygalskii (Crozet pintail).
- Scientific name
- Anas eatoni
- Authority
- (Sharpe, 1875)
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Family
- Anatidae
- Genus
- Anas
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
White-eared Jacamar
Galbalcyrhynchus leucotis
Chunky-looking bird with a small head and a larger bill than other jacamars, recalling a kingfisher. Chestnut-colored overall with a pinkish-red bill. Occurs in humid upland and seasonally flooded forests, where it is most often seen flycatching from exposed branches, often in small groups. The song is a high, whistled “péeeuh- péeeuh- péeeuh- péeeuh.”
Rufous-lored Tyrannulet
Phylloscartes flaviventris
Distinctive small tyrannulet with rufous brow, black mask, olive back, and yellow underparts. Looks like a more colorful version of Rufous-browed Tyrannulet. Sexes similar. Found alone or in pairs, often in mixed-species flocks, in the canopy of forest. Occurs in humid forest and forest edges of montane regions. The typical voice has four high notes “teeup teeup teeup teeup.” No similar species in range. Endemic to the Coastal Cordillera of Venezuela.
Thrush Nightingale
Luscinia luscinia
Very similar to Common Nightingale, but more dusky brown (not reddish-brown), with a duller and darker rufous tail and a mottled brown (not plain and sandy) breast. Their songs can be confusingly similar, but Thrush Nightingale is more monotonous, less varied, and slower, resembling that of Song Thrush. Calls include a bright but difficult-to-locate “teek”, and a low, dry rattle. Breeds in thick, damp, deciduous forest as well as well-wooded parks and gardens. Winters in tangled, often damp, thickets and brushy vegetation. Turns up in a wide range of habitats on passage, including drier areas. Feeds on invertebrates and berries.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.