Longtailed Duck – Original Hand-Coloured Lithograph

Engraver: John Gerrard Keulemans
Publisher: L’Imprimerie Nationale
Price: £65
Publication Date: Not dated but c.1876
Format: Original hand-coloured lithograph
Condition: In very good condition, unframed
Sheet Size: Sheet Size: 32.5cm x 25cm

Condition:

Original hand-coloured lithograph. Minor age-toning to the margins. In very good indeed, clean condition overall. A rare plate from this important work.

Location: Map Drawer B: FS: Folder JGK 001873

Longtailed Duck: A Brief Description

The Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) is a small, sea-going diving duck that is easily recognised by its distinctive long tail feathers, especially in males, which give the species its name. Found primarily in the Arctic and subarctic regions, it is a migratory bird, spending summers breeding in tundra regions and winters along northern coastlines, often in large flocks on the open sea.

Physical Description:

• Size: Long-tailed Ducks are small to medium-sized ducks, typically measuring 39 to 47 cm (15 to 19 inches) in length, including the males’ long tail feathers, which can add up to an additional 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 inches). They have a wingspan of approximately 65 to 80 cm (26 to 31 inches).
• Plumage: The Long-tailed Duck’s plumage undergoes significant seasonal changes:
  • Males (Breeding Season): Males are striking in appearance during the breeding season. They have a dark, chocolate-brown head and neck, contrasting with a white face, and a long, pointed black tail that can be up to 15 cm long. The upperparts are largely dark, while the underparts are bright white.
  • Males (Non-breeding Season): In winter, the males develop a more variable plumage with a largely white body, with dark patches around the head and back. Their long black tail remains a prominent feature throughout the year.
  • Females: Females are less boldly patterned than males. They have a more subdued appearance with brownish-grey upperparts, a lighter face, and white underparts. Unlike males, they do not have the long tail feathers, though they have a short, pointed tail.
  • Bill: Both sexes have a relatively small, dark bill with a pinkish or bluish band near the tip, especially prominent in males during the breeding season.

Distribution and Habitat:

The Long-tailed Duck has a circumpolar distribution, breeding in the Arctic regions of North America, Greenland, Iceland, Scandinavia, and Russia. During the breeding season, they are typically found near freshwater lakes and ponds on the tundra, but in winter, they migrate southward to coastal waters, particularly in northern Europe, Asia, and North America.

• Wintering Grounds: In winter, Long-tailed Ducks congregate in large numbers in coastal marine environments, particularly in the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. They prefer shallow offshore waters, where they dive to forage for food, often diving to great depths compared to other ducks.

Diet and Feeding:

The Long-tailed Duck is a skilled diver, capable of diving to depths of over 60 metres (200 feet), one of the deepest-diving ducks in the world. It forages primarily underwater, using its wings to swim and its feet to steer. The diet varies depending on the season and habitat:

• In summer, they primarily feed on aquatic insects, crustaceans, and small molluscs, which are abundant in the freshwater lakes and tundra ponds where they breed.
• In winter, they switch to a diet consisting mainly of marine invertebrates such as molluscs, crustaceans, and small fish, which they find on the seabed in their coastal habitats.

Breeding and Nesting:

• Breeding Season: The breeding season typically begins in late spring, when pairs of Long-tailed Ducks return to their tundra breeding grounds. They often nest close to water, in grassy or shrubby areas.
• Nesting: The female builds a nest, which is a shallow depression lined with down and grass. She lays a clutch of 6 to 10 creamy-coloured eggs, which she incubates for about 24 to 29 days. The male often leaves the female during incubation to moult and gather in flocks with other males.
• Chicks: After hatching, the chicks are precocial, meaning they are able to leave the nest and follow the female to water within a day or two. The chicks are capable of swimming and diving almost immediately, though they rely on the female for protection and guidance.

Behaviour:

• Social Structure: Long-tailed Ducks are highly social birds, especially outside of the breeding season. During winter, they gather in large, dense flocks, often numbering in the thousands, where they communicate with a variety of calls.
• Vocalisations: One of the most distinctive features of the Long-tailed Duck is its vocal nature. It is one of the few ducks that regularly calls both in flight and on water. Their calls are often described as a melodic, musical sound, with males producing a unique “ow-ow-owlee” call that can be heard over great distances. This trait has earned them the nickname “Oldsquaw” in North America, due to their constant chattering.

Conservation Status:

The Long-tailed Duck is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. The global population has seen declines in recent years, particularly in some key wintering areas such as the Baltic Sea. The reasons for the population decline are not fully understood but may include habitat degradation, changes in prey availability due to climate change, pollution, and incidental bycatch in fishing nets. Nonetheless, the species remains widespread and can still be seen in large numbers in certain regions.

Interesting Facts:

• Deep Diving Ability: The Long-tailed Duck holds the record for the deepest diving duck, capable of reaching depths of over 60 metres (200 feet) while foraging for food on the seafloor.
• Feather Moult: Like many ducks, the Long-tailed Duck undergoes a complete moult after the breeding season, during which it temporarily loses its ability to fly. This moult occurs in late summer and early autumn, and during this time, the ducks are vulnerable to predators and environmental conditions.

In summary, the Long-tailed Duck is an iconic bird of the Arctic, known for its striking appearance, vocal nature, and impressive diving abilities. Despite facing some conservation challenges, it remains one of the most characteristic seabirds of the northern hemisphere’s coastal regions.

John Gerrard Keulemans: A Short Biography

John Gerrard Keulemans (1842–1912) was a prolific and influential Dutch bird illustrator whose work remains celebrated for its accuracy and artistic detail. He was born on June 8, 1842, in Rotterdam, Netherlands. From a young age, he showed an interest in natural history, particularly in birds, and this passion guided him toward a career in scientific illustration.

Early Life and Career

Keulemans studied under Hermann Schlegel at the Natural History Museum in Leiden, where he honed his skills as a naturalist and artist. This connection led to one of his early assignments: joining an expedition to West Africa in 1864 to collect specimens. His work during this period helped him establish his reputation as both a naturalist and an illustrator. He documented various species of birds, adding greatly to the knowledge of African avifauna.

Move to London and Prolific Period

In 1869, Keulemans moved to England, where he would spend the rest of his career. London at that time was a hub of scientific research and publishing, making it an ideal base for an artist like Keulemans. He quickly became a leading illustrator for many of the major ornithological works of the 19th century.

Major Works

Keulemans illustrated more than 100 books on natural history, with his most famous contributions to:

• “The Birds of Great Britain” (1862–1873) by John Gould – Keulemans contributed to many of Gould’s other works, but this publication remains one of the most significant.
• “A History of the Birds of New Zealand” (1873, 1888, 1906) by Sir Walter Buller – Keulemans’ illustrations were essential to the understanding of New Zealand’s birdlife.
• “The Ibis” and “Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London” – leading ornithological journals where Keulemans’ works regularly appeared.
• “The Avifauna of Laysan” and “The Birds of the Hawaiian Islands” by R. C. L. Perkins.

Keulemans’ distinctive style involved the meticulous depiction of birds in natural, life-like poses. His plates were highly detailed, showcasing the nuances of feathers and anatomy, and he often portrayed birds in natural habitats to highlight their behaviour and environment.

Style and Techniques

Keulemans mainly worked in lithography, a printmaking process that allowed for mass production of his artwork while maintaining high-quality detail. He was known for his ability to bring a bird’s plumage and colour to life on paper, despite the limitations of the printing techniques of the time. His method involved working with specimens, either from museums or from field collections, to create scientifically accurate and dynamic illustrations.

Personal Life

Keulemans lived in England for much of his life and married in 1871. He fathered 11 children, though only six survived into adulthood. Despite his immense output and contributions to science, Keulemans often struggled financially, a common challenge for many illustrators of his era.

Legacy

John Gerrard Keulemans passed away on March 29, 1912, in Ilford, Essex, England. His legacy is firmly cemented in the world of ornithological illustration. His works continue to be highly regarded for their scientific value and artistic beauty. Many of his original illustrations are held in museums and private collections, and his detailed depictions are still referenced by ornithologists and bird enthusiasts today.

Keulemans’ work represents an important bridge between the art of the natural world and scientific inquiry, providing invaluable insight into bird species from around the world during a period when photography was still in its infancy. His illustrations remain among the finest examples of ornithological art.

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