BirdNote Daily The Music of Long-tailed Ducks
Jan 7, 2026
Long-tailed Ducks have made their vibrant return for the winter, flaunting their striking white plumage. The males are especially unique with their long tail plumes, giving the species its distinctive name. Known for being exceptionally vocal, these ducks have earned whimsical nicknames like 'John Connally' and 'Ha-hah-way' from the Cree language. Remarkably, they can dive as deep as 200 feet! Michael Stein shares tips for spotting these charming birds in their natural winter habitat.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Winter Visitors From The Tundra
- Long-tailed Ducks return to bays in winter after nesting far north on tundra ponds and marshes.
- Male long-tailed ducks sport long, slender tail plumes that extend nearly a foot behind their bodies.
A Vocal Duck With Many Names
- Long-tailed Ducks are unusually vocal for ducks, earning many charming nicknames across cultures.
- The Cree name 'Ha-hah-way' captures the male's distinctive call and links sound to cultural naming.
Find Ducks By Listening
- Listen for long-tailed ducks along coasts or the Great Lakes in winter because they can be hard to spot visually.
- Use sound as your advantage since they often dive while feeding and spend long periods underwater.