pintail

[pin-teyl]

noun

plural

pintails ,

plural

pintail .

1. a long-necked river duck, Anas acuta, of the Old and New Worlds, having long and narrow middle tail tails feathers.

2. sharp-tailed grouse.

pintail

/ ˈpɪnˌteɪl /

noun

1. a greyish-brown duck, Anas acuta, with slender pointed wings and a pointed tail

Word History and Origins

Origin of pintail¹

First recorded in 1760–70; pin + tail ¹

Example Sentences

A Northern pintail duck was also killed by the fox, and three other flamingos were hurt and were treated at the zoo’s veterinary hospital.

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A literal sitting duck was also killed: a Northern pintail duck that was part of the zoo’s collection.

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Northern pintail ducks are common, but their population is declining, The Cornell Lab reported.

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The American flamingo and the Northern pintail duck are species of “least concern,” according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.

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The hunting seasons for other ducks, including black ducks and pintails, ended earlier in the winter or fall.

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