Source: NENOW

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Context :

Recently , A flock of rare Northern Pintail ducks was spotted at an altitude of 13,500 feet in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh.

This is important because the species is not found at this high elevation.

About the Northern Pintail Duck

• Scientific Name: Anas acuta
• Type: The Northern Pintail is a beautiful, migratory waterfowl. It is known for its appearance & interesting behavior.

Distribution and Migration

• Migratory Nature: they are Known as northern nomads. These ducks have extensive migratory routes. They are found across most continents except Antarctica.
• Breeding and Habitats: Northern Pintails mostly do not live south of the equator. Their migratory routes are wide & they do not always breed in the same location.
• Their migration pattern takes them to different areas, so that they are widely dispersed, but do not settle permanently in any one place.

Features of the Northern Pintail Duck

• Physical Appearance:
  • • The Northern Pintail is named for its long, pointed central tail feathers.
    • The male has a grayish-brown body with a chocolate-colored head, a broad white stripe across the chest, & black patterns on the back.
    • Females & non-breeding males are slightly duller in color, with a mottled brown body, a lighter chest, & a yellowish neck.
• Size and Speed:
  • • These ducks are large, near 60 centimeters in length & weighing more than 1 Kg..
    • They have a wingspan of up to 91 centimeters. It gives them an aerodynamic build that allows them to fly at speeds of up to 48 miles per hour.

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: The Northern Pintail is classified as "Least Concern" under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
• This means that the species is currently not at risk of extinction, although continued monitoring is important due to their migratory nature.

Source: 

NENOW