Circumpolar, north to the Arctic and south almost to the equator. They range over more of the earth than any other waterfowl. Though some breed as far north as the Aleutian Islands and some winter as far south as Columbia, the greatest North American numbers winter in California and along the Gulf of Mexico, and breed in prairie Canada.
Biologists blame reduced and degraded habitat as humans continue to convert land to other uses.
If pintail numbers are to recover in the future, it will take a massive human effort to rehabilitate and preserve habitats. Protecting their habitats protects them.