Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) Identification, Habitat, and Hunting

This robust North American sea duck species is constructed for chilly water, deep dives, and late-season looking

Of all the ocean geese that decision the North American continent dwelling, long-tailed geese (Clangula hyemalis) might very effectively be one of the crucial gorgeous and engaging specimens. They might even be one of many hardest geese to hunt based mostly on their habits and seasonal actions, however like with any species of waterfowl, they are often patterned for those who perceive how they function. 

In accordance with Geese Limitless, the three states that yearly harvested essentially the most long-tailed geese, based mostly on annual harvest studies from 2019 to 2022 have been Michigan (8,447), New York (5,792) and Maryland (5,755) which usually signifies a powerful presence of the duck all through the Atlantic Flyway.   

Lengthy-tailed Duck Identification and Life Historical past

Lengthy-tailed geese lead extraordinary lives compared to most different geese. Thought-about a medium-sized diving sea duck, the typical male weighs 2.1lbs and is round 8.9 inches in size. The feminine’s common weight is 1.6 lbs and round 8 inches in size (Geese Limitless). 

Grownup longtails endure a weird sequence of moults all year long greater than another species of duck in North America. Geese Limitless states that these moults are categorized as alternate (breeding) plumage, supplemental plumage, and fundamental plumage for each males in addition to females of the species. Nonetheless, most hunters are accustomed to the males once they’re sporting the elongated sprig, much like a pintail duck. These numerous moults can typically make figuring out males from females tough to the untrained eye. 

Lengthy-tailed geese used to have a moniker referring to their chatty vocalizations, the place previous timers would check with them as “Outdated Squaw,” a now socially incorrect identify, but curiously sufficient, it’s the males that do many of the speaking, particularly throughout breeding season, with their name being a definite “oh-oh-ohoughlette” While you’ve heard it as soon as, you’ll always remember it. 

These geese are born on excessive arctic lakes and ponds the place they spend a quick few months earlier than making their migration down both of the coasts, typically so far as California, the Gulf Coast, or the Atlantic aspect of Florida. In addition they winter within the Nice Lakes area the place they are often seen within the 1000’s round piers, harbours, and mouths of rivers or creeks (Geese Limitless). 

Distinctive Feeding Behaviors

One of the vital fascinating elements of this duck is their feeding habits, and the lengths they’ll go to. These geese have been documented diving to depths as much as and together with 240 toes of water (Audubon Society) and feed on quite a lot of meals gadgets akin to mollusks, crustaceans, fish and fish eggs, and sometimes plant supplies, although this usually happens through the breeding season (Geese Limitless). In contrast to different species of diving geese, Longtails don’t use their toes as a way of propulsion, as an alternative utilizing their partially opened wings to propel themselves to the underside of a physique of water to feed (All About Birds). 

Lengthy-tailed geese don’t prefer to compete for meals, so typically if you’re observing how a flock strikes round one another, you may discover that new birds flying into a bunch of swimming longtails received’t land behind the flock, and nearly at all times land on the head of the group as an alternative. It’s assumed that it is because the brand new members try to get forward of the feeding exercise. Most frequently these geese would like to expend as little power as attainable with a view to feed, so they’ll hunt down shallow rocky constructions that don’t require deep diving. 

Lengthy-tailed Duck Breeding Season and Nesting Habits

In accordance with the Audubon Society, breeding habits start in early to mid winter when the geese attain two years of age, typically previous to migrating again to and across the arctic circle, when the drakes start to hunt out hens. Typically, it’s attainable to see a half dozen or extra drakes chasing a single feminine, all of the whereas being exceptionally vocal. Precise pairing will happen in early spring. 

Nesting takes place on dry land adjoining to water, typically in a despair lined with plant materials and down. The hen will cover the nest between rocks or partially below brushy vegetation if out there (Audubon Society/Geese Limitless). Females have additionally been noticed nesting inside very shut proximity to different nesting females (All About Birds). 

A feminine long-tailed duck will sometimes lay a clutch of six to 9 eggs, with out the assistance of the male rearing the younger, and the eggs generally being a pale gray color. A typical incubation time interval for a clutch of eggs is roughly 24 to 29 days to hatching, although if a clutch of eggs fails to hatch, these geese aren’t recognized to aim any renesting (Geese Limitless). Ducklings go away the nest with the hen nearly instantly after they dry out after hatching (All About Birds). 

Inhabitants Standing and Conservation Considerations

A number of points face long-tailed geese and present inhabitants densities. Mortality charges have been thought of excessive within the Nineteen Fifties with these geese turning into victims to entanglement in industrial fishing nets, particularly within the Nice Lakes area. they usually’ve proven sure ranges of sensitivity to steer publicity, particularly round nesting areas in Alaska. At present time, it’s estimated that greater than 50 p.c of the inhabitants has been misplaced within the final fifty years (All About Birds). 

It will be assumed that water high quality and safety of nesting habitat could be start line to make sure that populations of long-tailed geese start a course of the place they’ll rebound. 

How you can Hunt Lengthy-Tailed Geese

Searching long-tailed geese is taken into account a late season affair and most frequently entails format boats with combined spreads of decoys involving different species. Although they have an inclination to flock towards their very own species, long-tailed geese will co-mingle with different sea and diving geese, like buffleheads, scoters, and goldeneyes. Shore hunters needn’t fret although, as a result of alongside the coasts in addition to the Nice Lakes areas, these geese have a tendency to make use of shoreline construction with a view to feed with out having to dive to nice lengths so as to take action. Scouting forward of time will assist to find potential areas of curiosity, however one factor {that a} hunter ought to take note is how far they’re prepared to stroll (or, if attainable, kayak or canoe) to a location, how a lot gear they intend to carry, and whether or not or not they’ll have the ability to wade out with a view to each arrange decoys in addition to retrieve birds in the event that they don’t have a canine skilled to take action. 

Learn: Shore Searching Sea Geese – The Nice Lakes and Coastal Waters

Lengthy-tailed geese are likely to feed all through the day, and if you realize of a location that’s shallow, shielded from the late season gales in addition to provides shoreline cowl for a hiding waterfowl hunter, then that is the type of place the place you’d need to begin your search. Among the finest looking for longtails happens within the worst climate, and so having looking areas picked out effectively upfront, in addition to understanding how and when the geese use them will work to the hunters’ benefit. 

These geese have a thick pores and skin and dense layers of fats to insulate themselves in these chilly subzero temperatures, and this may make them notoriously tough to kill in a single shot. Crippled birds, if a hunter isn’t cautious, are a nasty actuality and due to this, utilizing a twelve gauge shotgun with No. 2s and a full choke is strongly beneficial. Keep away from capturing exterior your vary of consolation, and at all times be prepared with that follow-up shot.

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