Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Tracking Data for Long-tailed Ducks (Clangula hyemalis)

Active
By Alaska Science Center July 25, 2025

Available here are tracking data of long-tailed duck, a species of seaduck that breeds throughout the circumpolar Arctic and spends the winter in coastal areas of northern and mid latitudes.  These data were collected to determine range-wide migratory routes, migratory timing, and stopover habitats of this species.

Return to Ecosystems >> Wildlife Tracking Data Collection

USGS Alaska Science Center scientists collect data from wildlife tracking devices to: determine locations of animals throughout their annual cycles, understand patterns of habitat use, quantify time spent on various behaviors, and identify geographic areas repeatedly used by wildlife that may indicate sites of importance to species and populations. Tracking data from other wildlife species can be found at:  https://doi.org/10.5066/P9VYSWEH

Media
Argos Wildlife Tracking Long-tailed Ducks animation
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Argos Wildlife Tracking of Long-tailed Ducks
(Credit: David Douglas, USGS)

Tracking Maps

Long-tailed Duck Tracking Maps

These webpages contain five different types of browse maps and other visualizations of the tracking data.

  • Maps (Animated, Static, Interactive, and Google Earth)
  • Summary graphs of the data: where, when, duration
  • Waterfowl Tagged Animal Movement Explorer interactive visualization tool
  • Note: These maps serve only as a depiction of the geographic content of the specific data provided and may be inappropriate for inferences and interpretation outside the intent of the original study. For example, maps may portray only certain ages, sexes, limited numbers of animals or variable tracking duration and start times that may limit inference for other questions. Users are advised to read the publication(s) and data set metadata associated with these maps to understand appropriate use and data limitations.

Data Packages

Argos Satellite Telemetry Data

These data packages contain the data collected from satellite transmitters attached to free-ranging animals. The packages include both raw and processed location and sensor data. The raw data includes data as originally retrieved from the Argos System. The processed data have been filtered for location plausibility, and sensor data have been decoded into standard measurement units. For most users, the processed data will be preferred.

NOTE: Processed data contains both plausible (DAF_Filter=0) and implausible (DAF_Filter=1) locations as indicated by the column “Location_DAF_filter”. Before using these data, we recommend excluding locations flagged as implausible or apply an alternative filtering method of your choice.

Suggested Citation

Petersen, M.R., Flint, P.L., Grand, J.B., Mulcahy, D.M., Douglas, D.C., 2022, Tracking data for Long-tailed Ducks (Clangula hyemalis) (ver 1.1, July 2022): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P95B6K20

Version History:
First release: June 2022
Revised July 2022 (ver. 1.1)

Below are other science products associated with Long-tailed Duck.

Spectacled eider male and female flying near the Colville River in 2013.

Waterfowl Research

Scientists at the USGS Alaska Science Center have conducted research on waterfowl species (ducks, geese, and swans) in Alaska since the 1970s. Because Alaska is an international crossroads of migratory bird flyways, with millions of birds from Asia and North America breeding in Alaska each summer, USGS research has also taken place in adjacent countries (Russia, Japan, Canada, Mexico) and in the...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center
Waterfowl Research

Waterfowl Research

Scientists at the USGS Alaska Science Center have conducted research on waterfowl species (ducks, geese, and swans) in Alaska since the 1970s. Because Alaska is an international crossroads of migratory bird flyways, with millions of birds from Asia and North America breeding in Alaska each summer, USGS research has also taken place in adjacent countries (Russia, Japan, Canada, Mexico) and in the...
Learn More
Spectacled eider male and female flying near the Colville River in 2013.

Sea Duck Research

USGS research on sea ducks is designed to anticipate and address priority information needs of management agencies. Additionally, work is focused on individual species biology, migration and population status and trends because until recently, very little was known about sea ducks in Alaska.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center
Sea Duck Research

Sea Duck Research

USGS research on sea ducks is designed to anticipate and address priority information needs of management agencies. Additionally, work is focused on individual species biology, migration and population status and trends because until recently, very little was known about sea ducks in Alaska.
Learn More

Below are data or web applications associated with the Long-tailed Duck tracking project.

USGS Alaska Science Center Wildlife Tracking Data Collection USGS Alaska Science Center Wildlife Tracking Data Collection

Understanding the short- and long-distance movements of wildlife is critical for a wide variety of ecological research studies and management decisions. Since the mid-1980s, the USGS Alaska Science Center has collected data from wildlife tracking devices to: determine locations of animals throughout their annual cycles, understand patterns of habitat use, quantify time spent on various...
By
Alaska Science Center

Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) Microsatellite DNA Data, Alaska, Canada, Russia, 1994-2002 Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) Microsatellite DNA Data, Alaska, Canada, Russia, 1994-2002

This data set describes nuclear microsatellite genotypes derived from twelve autosomal loci (6AB, Aph02, Aph08, Aph19, Aph23, Bca10, Bca11, Hhi5, Sfi11, Smo07, Smo09, and CRG), and two Z-linked microsatellite loci (Bca4 and Smo1). A total of 111 Long-tailed Ducks were examined for this genotyping with samples coming from the two primary breeding locales within Alaska (Arctic Coastal...
By
Alaska Science Center

Below are multimedia items associated with Long-tailed Duck.

Male Long-tailed Duck in the water
Male Long-tailed Duck
Male Long-tailed Duck
Male Long-tailed Duck in the water

Male Long-tailed Duck

Male Long-tailed Duck

Male Long-tailed Duck floating in the water in Northern Alaska.

By
Alaska Science Center
Male Long-tailed Duck in the water

Male Long-tailed Duck

Male Long-tailed Duck

Male Long-tailed Duck floating in the water in Northern Alaska.

By
Alaska Science Center

Below are publications associated with the Long-tailed Duck tracking project.

Visualizing populations of North American sea ducks: Maps to guide research and management planning Visualizing populations of North American sea ducks: Maps to guide research and management planning

North American sea ducks generally breed in mid- to northern-latitude regions and nearly all rely upon marine habitats for much of their annual cycle. Most sea duck species remained poorly studied until the 1990s when declines were noted in several species and populations. Subsequent research, much of which was funded by the Sea Duck Joint Venture, began in the late 1990s with an...
Authors
John Pearce, Paul Flint, Mary Whalen, Sarah Sonsthagen, Josh Stiller, Vijay Patil, Timothy Bowman, Sean Boyd, Shannon Badzinski, H.G. Gilchrist, Scott Gilliland, Christine Lepage, Pam Loring, Daniel McAuley, Nic McLellan, Jason Osenkowski, Eric Reed, Anthony Roberts, Myra Robertson, Tom Rothe, David Safine, Emily Silverman, Kyle Spragens
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Spatial genetic structure of Long-tailed Ducks (Clangula hyemalis) among Alaskan, Canadian, and Russian breeding populations Spatial genetic structure of Long-tailed Ducks (Clangula hyemalis) among Alaskan, Canadian, and Russian breeding populations

Arctic ecosystems are changing at an unprecedented rate. How Arctic species are able to respond to such environmental change is partially dependent on the connections between local and broadly distributed populations. For species like the Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis), we have limited telemetry and band-recovery information from which to infer population structure and migratory...
Authors
Robert Wilson, J. R. Gust, Margaret Petersen, Sandra Talbot
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Habitat use and foraging patterns of molting male Long-tailed Ducks in lagoons of the central Beaufort Sea, Alaska Habitat use and foraging patterns of molting male Long-tailed Ducks in lagoons of the central Beaufort Sea, Alaska

From mid-July through September, 10 000 to 30 000 Long-tailed Ducks (Clangula hyemalis) use the lagoon systems of the central Beaufort Sea for remigial molt. Little is known about their foraging behavior and patterns of habitat use during this flightless period. We used radio transmitters to track male Long-tailed Ducks through the molt period from 2000 to 2002 in three lagoons: one...
Authors
Paul Flint, John Reed, Deborah Lacroix, Richard Lanctot
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Moderating Argos location errors in animal tracking data Moderating Argos location errors in animal tracking data

1. The Argos System is used worldwide to satellite-track free-ranging animals, but location errors can range from tens of metres to hundreds of kilometres. Low-quality locations (Argos classes A, 0, B and Z) dominate animal tracking data. Standard-quality animal tracking locations (Argos classes 3, 2 and 1) have larger errors than those reported in Argos manuals. 2. The Douglas Argos...
Authors
David Douglas, Rolf Weinziert, Sarah Davidson, Roland Kays, Martin Wikelski, Gil Bohrer
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Population dynamics of long-tailed ducks breeding on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska Population dynamics of long-tailed ducks breeding on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska

Population estimates for long-tailed ducks in North America have declined by nearly 50% over the past 30 years. Life history and population dynamics of this species are difficult to ascertain, because the birds nest at low densities across a broad range of habitat types. Between 1991 and 2004, we collected information on productivity and survival of long-tailed ducks at three locations...
Authors
Jason Schamber, Paul Flint, J. Barry Grand, Heather Wilson, Julie Morse
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Post-breeding distribution of Long-tailed Ducks Clangula hyemalis from the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska Post-breeding distribution of Long-tailed Ducks Clangula hyemalis from the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska

Breeding populations of Long-tailed Ducks Clangula hyemalis have declined in western Alaska, particularly on the Yukon-Kuskokwim (Y-K) Delta, and the species is currently considered a species of particular concern by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in Alaska. Potential factors that may have contributed to this decline that occurred away from the breeding grounds could not be considered...
Authors
Margaret Petersen, B. McCaffery, Paul Flint
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Available here are tracking data of long-tailed duck, a species of seaduck that breeds throughout the circumpolar Arctic and spends the winter in coastal areas of northern and mid latitudes.  These data were collected to determine range-wide migratory routes, migratory timing, and stopover habitats of this species.

Return to Ecosystems >> Wildlife Tracking Data Collection

USGS Alaska Science Center scientists collect data from wildlife tracking devices to: determine locations of animals throughout their annual cycles, understand patterns of habitat use, quantify time spent on various behaviors, and identify geographic areas repeatedly used by wildlife that may indicate sites of importance to species and populations. Tracking data from other wildlife species can be found at:  https://doi.org/10.5066/P9VYSWEH

Media
Argos Wildlife Tracking Long-tailed Ducks animation
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Argos Wildlife Tracking of Long-tailed Ducks
(Credit: David Douglas, USGS)

Tracking Maps

Long-tailed Duck Tracking Maps

These webpages contain five different types of browse maps and other visualizations of the tracking data.

  • Maps (Animated, Static, Interactive, and Google Earth)
  • Summary graphs of the data: where, when, duration
  • Waterfowl Tagged Animal Movement Explorer interactive visualization tool
  • Note: These maps serve only as a depiction of the geographic content of the specific data provided and may be inappropriate for inferences and interpretation outside the intent of the original study. For example, maps may portray only certain ages, sexes, limited numbers of animals or variable tracking duration and start times that may limit inference for other questions. Users are advised to read the publication(s) and data set metadata associated with these maps to understand appropriate use and data limitations.

Data Packages

Argos Satellite Telemetry Data

These data packages contain the data collected from satellite transmitters attached to free-ranging animals. The packages include both raw and processed location and sensor data. The raw data includes data as originally retrieved from the Argos System. The processed data have been filtered for location plausibility, and sensor data have been decoded into standard measurement units. For most users, the processed data will be preferred.

NOTE: Processed data contains both plausible (DAF_Filter=0) and implausible (DAF_Filter=1) locations as indicated by the column “Location_DAF_filter”. Before using these data, we recommend excluding locations flagged as implausible or apply an alternative filtering method of your choice.

Suggested Citation

Petersen, M.R., Flint, P.L., Grand, J.B., Mulcahy, D.M., Douglas, D.C., 2022, Tracking data for Long-tailed Ducks (Clangula hyemalis) (ver 1.1, July 2022): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P95B6K20

Version History:
First release: June 2022
Revised July 2022 (ver. 1.1)

Below are other science products associated with Long-tailed Duck.

Spectacled eider male and female flying near the Colville River in 2013.

Waterfowl Research

Scientists at the USGS Alaska Science Center have conducted research on waterfowl species (ducks, geese, and swans) in Alaska since the 1970s. Because Alaska is an international crossroads of migratory bird flyways, with millions of birds from Asia and North America breeding in Alaska each summer, USGS research has also taken place in adjacent countries (Russia, Japan, Canada, Mexico) and in the...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center
Waterfowl Research

Waterfowl Research

Scientists at the USGS Alaska Science Center have conducted research on waterfowl species (ducks, geese, and swans) in Alaska since the 1970s. Because Alaska is an international crossroads of migratory bird flyways, with millions of birds from Asia and North America breeding in Alaska each summer, USGS research has also taken place in adjacent countries (Russia, Japan, Canada, Mexico) and in the...
Learn More
Spectacled eider male and female flying near the Colville River in 2013.

Sea Duck Research

USGS research on sea ducks is designed to anticipate and address priority information needs of management agencies. Additionally, work is focused on individual species biology, migration and population status and trends because until recently, very little was known about sea ducks in Alaska.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center
Sea Duck Research

Sea Duck Research

USGS research on sea ducks is designed to anticipate and address priority information needs of management agencies. Additionally, work is focused on individual species biology, migration and population status and trends because until recently, very little was known about sea ducks in Alaska.
Learn More

Below are data or web applications associated with the Long-tailed Duck tracking project.

USGS Alaska Science Center Wildlife Tracking Data Collection USGS Alaska Science Center Wildlife Tracking Data Collection

Understanding the short- and long-distance movements of wildlife is critical for a wide variety of ecological research studies and management decisions. Since the mid-1980s, the USGS Alaska Science Center has collected data from wildlife tracking devices to: determine locations of animals throughout their annual cycles, understand patterns of habitat use, quantify time spent on various...
By
Alaska Science Center

Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) Microsatellite DNA Data, Alaska, Canada, Russia, 1994-2002 Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) Microsatellite DNA Data, Alaska, Canada, Russia, 1994-2002

This data set describes nuclear microsatellite genotypes derived from twelve autosomal loci (6AB, Aph02, Aph08, Aph19, Aph23, Bca10, Bca11, Hhi5, Sfi11, Smo07, Smo09, and CRG), and two Z-linked microsatellite loci (Bca4 and Smo1). A total of 111 Long-tailed Ducks were examined for this genotyping with samples coming from the two primary breeding locales within Alaska (Arctic Coastal...
By
Alaska Science Center

Below are multimedia items associated with Long-tailed Duck.

Male Long-tailed Duck in the water
Male Long-tailed Duck
Male Long-tailed Duck
Male Long-tailed Duck in the water

Male Long-tailed Duck

Male Long-tailed Duck

Male Long-tailed Duck floating in the water in Northern Alaska.

By
Alaska Science Center
Male Long-tailed Duck in the water

Male Long-tailed Duck

Male Long-tailed Duck

Male Long-tailed Duck floating in the water in Northern Alaska.

By
Alaska Science Center

Below are publications associated with the Long-tailed Duck tracking project.

Visualizing populations of North American sea ducks: Maps to guide research and management planning Visualizing populations of North American sea ducks: Maps to guide research and management planning

North American sea ducks generally breed in mid- to northern-latitude regions and nearly all rely upon marine habitats for much of their annual cycle. Most sea duck species remained poorly studied until the 1990s when declines were noted in several species and populations. Subsequent research, much of which was funded by the Sea Duck Joint Venture, began in the late 1990s with an...
Authors
John Pearce, Paul Flint, Mary Whalen, Sarah Sonsthagen, Josh Stiller, Vijay Patil, Timothy Bowman, Sean Boyd, Shannon Badzinski, H.G. Gilchrist, Scott Gilliland, Christine Lepage, Pam Loring, Daniel McAuley, Nic McLellan, Jason Osenkowski, Eric Reed, Anthony Roberts, Myra Robertson, Tom Rothe, David Safine, Emily Silverman, Kyle Spragens
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Spatial genetic structure of Long-tailed Ducks (Clangula hyemalis) among Alaskan, Canadian, and Russian breeding populations Spatial genetic structure of Long-tailed Ducks (Clangula hyemalis) among Alaskan, Canadian, and Russian breeding populations

Arctic ecosystems are changing at an unprecedented rate. How Arctic species are able to respond to such environmental change is partially dependent on the connections between local and broadly distributed populations. For species like the Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis), we have limited telemetry and band-recovery information from which to infer population structure and migratory...
Authors
Robert Wilson, J. R. Gust, Margaret Petersen, Sandra Talbot
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Habitat use and foraging patterns of molting male Long-tailed Ducks in lagoons of the central Beaufort Sea, Alaska Habitat use and foraging patterns of molting male Long-tailed Ducks in lagoons of the central Beaufort Sea, Alaska

From mid-July through September, 10 000 to 30 000 Long-tailed Ducks (Clangula hyemalis) use the lagoon systems of the central Beaufort Sea for remigial molt. Little is known about their foraging behavior and patterns of habitat use during this flightless period. We used radio transmitters to track male Long-tailed Ducks through the molt period from 2000 to 2002 in three lagoons: one...
Authors
Paul Flint, John Reed, Deborah Lacroix, Richard Lanctot
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Moderating Argos location errors in animal tracking data Moderating Argos location errors in animal tracking data

1. The Argos System is used worldwide to satellite-track free-ranging animals, but location errors can range from tens of metres to hundreds of kilometres. Low-quality locations (Argos classes A, 0, B and Z) dominate animal tracking data. Standard-quality animal tracking locations (Argos classes 3, 2 and 1) have larger errors than those reported in Argos manuals. 2. The Douglas Argos...
Authors
David Douglas, Rolf Weinziert, Sarah Davidson, Roland Kays, Martin Wikelski, Gil Bohrer
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Population dynamics of long-tailed ducks breeding on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska Population dynamics of long-tailed ducks breeding on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska

Population estimates for long-tailed ducks in North America have declined by nearly 50% over the past 30 years. Life history and population dynamics of this species are difficult to ascertain, because the birds nest at low densities across a broad range of habitat types. Between 1991 and 2004, we collected information on productivity and survival of long-tailed ducks at three locations...
Authors
Jason Schamber, Paul Flint, J. Barry Grand, Heather Wilson, Julie Morse
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Post-breeding distribution of Long-tailed Ducks Clangula hyemalis from the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska Post-breeding distribution of Long-tailed Ducks Clangula hyemalis from the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska

Breeding populations of Long-tailed Ducks Clangula hyemalis have declined in western Alaska, particularly on the Yukon-Kuskokwim (Y-K) Delta, and the species is currently considered a species of particular concern by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in Alaska. Potential factors that may have contributed to this decline that occurred away from the breeding grounds could not be considered...
Authors
Margaret Petersen, B. McCaffery, Paul Flint
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center
Was this page helpful?