Pintail expert

[shimont770]

 

[Miss Lydia]

My opinion based on observing the first photo:
1. Coverts-scapulars and tertials are oversize (long and sickle shaped like a male), too black, wrong color pattern.
2. Bill appears to have black bridge-over blue background, drake-like.
3. Entire bird's coloration is too dark, way too much black bordering.
4. Bird appears very long legged.
5. Are the legs/feet showing some orange or yellow?
I may be wrong due to small/poor photo quality, however that bird looks like either an eclipse drake or a N.A. Pintail hybrid. Every 1 year old hen I have seen looks like a slightly smaller 2+ year old hen (for all purposes the same). The second pic looks like it got stretched but is much more consistent with being a hen N.A. Pintail.

It would be very helpful if you could post a better image.

JJRS you can click on the pic and it enlarges.

 

[shimont770]

Jjrs, thank u. Will theas pic's help ?

 

[Speceider]

looks like a drake in basic plumage, not a hen.

Clint

 

[shimont770]

????

 

[shimont770]

No answer? Any one?

 

[Speceider]

I don't know what you're asking....it's a drake in basic plumage and I certainly doubt it's a young bird....

Clint

 

[shimont770]

I'm sorry i really dont know whats a drake. My question is for a profetional pintail to give me an answer, but thanx any ways.

 

[Speceider]

I've only banded over 1000 northern pintails, put several hundred radio transmitters and a few satellite transmitters on pins. A drake is a male.

Clint

 

[JJRS]

JJRS you can click on the pic and it enlarges.

Thx, I am pretty computer stupid.