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Platte River Status: An abundant migrant, rare winter resident, and uncommon breeding species. Occurrence dates at the Mormon Island Crane Meadows, Hall County, extend from 15 February to 26 September. Tout (1947) recorded northern pintail in Lincoln County principally as a migrant, although the species is present year-round. Rosche (1979) considered northern pintail primarily a migrant and winter visitor in the lower North Platte River Valley, present 20 August to 4 June. The June date suggests that northern pintail probably nests in Rosche's area, based on the timing of the nesting cycle in this species (Stewart and Kantrud 1974).

Breeding Range: A fairly common breeding species on wetlands in the Rainwater Basin area of the Eastern Plain and in the Sandhills, although there is considerable yearly variation in nesting population levels. An occasional summer resident in the lower Platte River Valley; accidental elsewhere.

Breeding Population: The population was estimated at 2,600 breeding pairs in 1979-1980. Seven breeding pairs were present on Waterfowl Production Areas in the Rainwater Basin area in 1983 (USFWS files).

Habitat: We found a mean density of 16.0 pairs per km² in wetlands. Upland areas bordering a variety of natural basin wetlands are used most frequently for nest placement. Faanes (1982) reported that the highest densities of northern pintail on a central North Dakota study area occurred on brackish semipermanent wetlands. Kantrud and Stewart (1977) found highest densities across North Dakota on temporary (82.4 pairs/km²) and seasonal (58.6 pairs/km²) wetlands.

Effect of Habitat Alteration: The impact of reduced flows in the Platte River system and the destruction of wetlands in the Rainwater Basin area has been negative. Lack of nesting habitat in response to intensified agricultural production, and a lack of availability of brood-rearing habitat throughout the summer have reduced the reproductive potential of northern pintail within the study area.

Nesting Data: One nest with 7 eggs was found in a wet meadow at Mormon Island on 14 June 1984. Tout (1947) found a female with 4 or 5 newly hatched young near the North Platte reservoir, Lincoln County, in early June 1937. The late date of Tout's observation suggests this brood was the result of a re-nesting attempt. Extreme egg dates in North Dakota extend from 13 April to 6 July (Stewart 1975).