These two male Pintail look so smart at this time of year as they come into full plumage. They have two long tail feathers which look like a pin hence their name - you can see it especially on the right hand bird. The pin makes up about one quarter of the bird's total length.Pintail are large dabbling ducks, they also up-end to feed, showing off their cream patch & the pin. The female is brown & beautifully marked but not as distinctive as the male.
Pintail breed in northern Europe and many winter in the UK. The Severn estuary is popular & we often see them at WWT Slimbridge where this photo was taken.
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