Chubut Steamer Duck

Bald steamer duck

The White-headed steamer duck ( Tachyeres leucocephalus ) is a flightless species of bird in the family Anatidae ( Anatidae ) and belongs to the subfamily of here half geese ( Tadorninae ). It belongs to the genus Tachyeres. The species was not until 1981 and thus described as the most recent of the steamer ducks scientifically.

Occurrence

The flightless steamer duck Bald lives endemic to the southern coast of the province of Chubut in Argentina. It is open all year to take on the sea and nests on the coast upstream, inaccessible islands. Outside the breeding season is making the kind of short distance walks and is then sighted on the northern coast of the province of Santa Cruz.

Appearance

Tachyeres leucocephalus reaches a body length of 61-74 cm and a weight of 2.95 to 3.8 kg. The male has a in contrast to the other types of steamer ducks very bright plumage on the head. The body is covered with feathers contrasting with dark, only the belly is white, the wings have a white mirror on. The female is dark brown feathered on the head, a narrow white line runs half-moon shape from the eye along the neck to the chest.

Way of life

The breeding place from October to February, so instead of in the spring and summer in the southern hemisphere. In general, the species breeds in solitary pairs, although there are some offshore islands and breeding colonies. The nest is always found near the water and is preferably applied in the protection of dense vegetation.

Food is consumed mainly in the form of marine crustaceans and molluscs, which are captured almost without exception diving.

Swell

• Josep del Hoyo, Andrew Elliott, Jordi Sargatal: Handbook of the birds of the world, Volume 1, Ostrich to Ducks. - Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, ​​1992, ISBN 84-87334-10-5.