It appears to be very unusual. It shows the plumage of an adult female in non-breeding (eclipse) plumage, including a typical dark bill. Most importantly, it has a long tail — a feature typical of an adult male. I have reviewed a very large photo database of Long-tailed Ducks from both continents and did not find an individual with a similar combination of features. The only explanation that comes to mind is masculinization in a female.
Photo: Hel Poland, 15 January 2026.
I received a response from Jerry Jourdan.
Hi Artur,
I agree with your assessment. I am unfamiliar with definitive alternate plumages in Long-tailed Ducks so I don't know if females get long tail streamers. According to Pyle there is no mention of this (see attached page from his book). My gut tell me that we are looking at a winter HY/SY male transitioning into its supplemental/formative or pre-alternate plumage.
From what I've seen with my recent photos birdingthroughglass.blogspot.com/2026/01/port-huron-long-tailed-ducks is that females have all-dark rectrices while males show white retrices w/ the center two appearing dark/elongated. The scapulars here are short, the cap is dark, tail feathers white (dark streamer) and the lack of a distinct pink subterminal band on the bill point to a younger male than older male. Does that make sense?
According to Cornell Birds of the World the male's bill does darken as it transitions to alternate plumage birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/lotduc/cur/introduction so I might be more inclined to lean toward a 1st winter male transitioning into alternate plumage. As always, I'm open to correction.
Best, Jerry
birdingthroughglass.blogspot.com
