 | Psilos Wildfowl Photography |
Long tailed duck Page 2 - the female |
Courtship of the female begins whilst they
are still on their wintering grounds. Several males gather around a
single female and utter their mellow, barking, far-carrying call. By
the time they travel north pairing has usually taken place. The female
lays 6-8 eggs and incubates them for 29 days, with fledging taking place
at around 35 days. |
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After breeding the male and female moult
and take on their eclipse plumage. During this time they are flightless.
Photos below taken May 2005. |
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October 2005 and the males looking stunning
once more. |
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