Birds
Yellow-billed Pintail
Anas georgica
Dabbling in shallow water anywhere from a high Andean lake in Colombia to a sub-Antarctic island near South Georgia, a yellow-billed pintail carries one of the broadest ranges of any duck native to South America.
Overview
The yellow-billed pintail, Anas georgica, is a Least Concern dabbling duck found across an exceptionally wide range spanning the high Andes of Colombia to South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. Its bright yellow bill, broad elevational tolerance, and extensive latitudinal range make it one of the most widely distributed ducks native to South America.
A duck built for extremes
Few South American ducks tolerate such a broad range of conditions, with the yellow-billed pintail breeding comfortably from sea-level coastal wetlands to high Andean lakes thousands of metres above the ocean.
Status
Least Concern, remaining common and widespread across its exceptionally broad range.
Yellow-billed Pintail: common questions
Why is it called the yellow-billed pintail?
It shows a conspicuous bright yellow bill against otherwise mottled brown plumage, a feature that gives the species its common name and aids identification.
How wide is the yellow-billed pintail's range?
Exceptionally wide. It breeds from high Andean lakes in Colombia all the way south to South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, one of the broadest latitudinal ranges of any South American duck.
How does the yellow-billed pintail feed?
It is a dabbling duck, tipping forward at the water's surface to reach aquatic plants and seeds rather than diving for food.
What elevations does the yellow-billed pintail use?
It tolerates an unusually wide elevational range, breeding from sea level up to high Andean lakes thousands of metres above the sea.