The White-Cheeked Pintail Duck are also known as Galapagos Ducks or Bahama Pintail Ducks. They are primarily seen in shallow marshes and rivers rather than large lakes or bays. They are dabbling ducks which means that they prefer shallow water where they can tip their head under water and find food rather than submerging or swimming to find food.

The White-Cheeked Pintail Duck is considered to be a shy duck and does not like to be approached but the ducks that I photographed in this post allowed me to get close enough to get some good photos. I will say that I am always cautious around all wildlife and I always approach slowly and gradually. This may be why they allowed me to get closer than normal.

The male and female of the White-Cheeked Pintail Duck are basically identical with the female being slightly smaller. I really liked the white cheek and the red portion of the bill on this duck. I think it makes a real striking contrast.

The last photo below is a group of 8 White-Cheeked Pintail Ducks. I always like it when I can manage to photograph a group of a species together. In this photo, I really like how the red on their bill puts a pop of color into an otherwise bland picture.

About this Bird

Family: Duck

Location: It is widespread in the Caribbean and South America.

Interesting Fact: These duck are normally seen in groups of 10 to 12 but they can gather in groups of up to 1000 when food is plentiful.

Diet: They forage primarily by head-dipping and upending aquatic plants and eating seeds from the surface of the water.

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