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Torrent Duck Merganetta Armata

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Torrent Duck

Appearance:
Male - The male Torrent Duck has a black crown and hind neck, a white face, dark stripe through the dark-brown eye and running down the sides of the neck, bright-red beak, the breast and underparts are whitish (Columbian species) with black streaks or can be blackish (Chilean species), the back is streaked black and white or buff colour, the wings are grey-brown with a green speculum, a stiff grey-brown tail, and the legs are reddish with darker large webbed feet.
Female - The female is smaller and has a reddish face, throat, foreneck, and underparts, a grey crown and hindneck, the upperparts are similar to the male and the speculum is duller.

Size: - Typical Adult is 43-46cm (17-18in).

Food:- Aquatic insects, larvae, molluscs, and small fish.

Habitat/Range: - Fast flowing mountain rivers, and also calmer waters throughout western South America.

Torrent Duck Map
Breeding Habitat/Resident,    Migration or Winter Area.



Breeding Season: - November to June

Eggs: - 3 to 4 (creamy-brown colour).

Notes: - The Torrent Duck was assigned to the Perching Duck family but is now thought to be placed in the Shelduck family. It is the only member of the genus Merganetta. Its closest relative may be the Blue Duck of New Zealand. There are several sub-species of Torrent Duck throughout South America all with various colour variations.

Conservation status (IUCN 3.1):
  Least Concern.  

Classification: - Family: Anatidae,
Subfamily: Tadorninae, Genus: Merganetta.


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Photographs

Torrent Duck
Torrent Duck (Merganetta Armata) -



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