White-cheeked Pintail

White-cheeked Pintail (Anas bahamensis), also commonly known as the Bahama Pintail, is a marsh duck with incredibly distinctive plumage. White-cheeked pintail bills, in comparison to their face, appear very large. They are mostly black or gray with a red flare present on either side of their nares. This red is also seen in their small irises. Individuals have a brown cap that stops just below the eyes and extends down the back of their neck and onto their back. The white cheeks, their namesake, are bold and contrasts highly on the males, though the female’s cheeks are more dainty, somewhat reminiscent of a porcelain doll. The chest, flanks, and underbelly are tan-brown with cascading dark brown spots that get larger the closer they are to the underbelly. White-cheeked pintail wings are mostly brown with a beautiful iridescent green speculum that is edged with black on the side closest to the secondaries. The green and black are outlined on either side with bold, bright, tan secondary and median coverts.

White-cheeked Pintail. Easily the most elegant of Argentina duck species, sprigs the color of farm fresh cream. And check out the way that speculum pops! Seems like almost always decoy in singles and pairs, sometimes small flocks of half-dozen. Over the decoys, find myself focusing on the bright white cheek patch, sometimes noticing the the bright red indicative of adult drakes. Good focal point while instinctively shouldering gun. Argentina and coastal Peru are the very best places to hunt white-cheeked pintails.