Northern Pintail
VU

Northern Pintail

Anas acuta

UnknownENNPVUEUVUEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_pintail

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Northern Pintail populations have declined by approximately 30% over three generations due to extensive wetland drainage and conversion of prairie breeding habitats to agriculture across North America. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering precipitation patterns and reducing water availability in key breeding areas. Hunting pressure, while regulated, continues to impact populations during migration and wintering periods, particularly when combined with habitat constraints that concentrate birds in fewer remaining wetlands.

Threat summary

Habitat

Northern Pintails breed primarily in shallow wetlands, prairie potholes, and seasonal pools across the northern Great Plains and boreal regions. During winter, they utilize coastal marshes, flooded agricultural fields, shallow lakes, and estuaries from the southern United States through Central America.

FRESHWATER· majorTERRESTRIAL· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Northern Pintail classified as Vulnerable?
Northern Pintail is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Northern Pintail populations have declined by approximately 30% over three generations due to extensive wetland drainage and conversion of prairie breeding habitats to agriculture across North America. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering precipitation patterns and reducing water availability in key breeding areas. Hunting pressure, while regulated, continues to impact populations during migration and wintering periods, particularly when combined with habitat constraints that concentrate birds in fewer remaining wetlands.
Where does Northern Pintail live?
Northern Pintail occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Northern Pintail?
The main threats to Northern Pintail are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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