The Northern Pintail begins nesting as soon as the ice starts to melt, breeding across the country and extending as far as the Northwest Territories. They are also found in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. For food, they dabble on the surface of the water, filtering out seeds and insects with their bills. Additionally, they feed on grain and insects at the edges of wetlands and fields. This male arrived in the Bow Valley area about two weeks ago.
Spring migration started in mid-March; raptors were spotted coming up north a few weeks ago, waterfowls are making use of any open pool of water, and Varied Thrushes, American Robins, and others can be heard on land. This drake, dressed as if for a formal occasion, was hanging out with other members of its species, along with mallards and wigeons. With just the right amount of light filtering through, the conditions were perfect for capturing a few good pictures.
