Slim and long-necked, Northern Pintails have an elegant appearance on water and in flight. The male in breeding plumage has a dark brown head, white breast and throat, and a white line extending up the neck. The body is light grey with black-edged feathers, and the belly is white. The rump and the long tail are black. The female is mottled brown-and-black with a pointed tail and dark bronze speculum on its wing. Both sexes have grey legs and a dark grey bill, although the bill of the male is lined with blue on the sides. Males in eclipse plumage are similar to females, but are greyer, with some white remaining on the sides of the neck.