Magellanic Steamerduck

À propos

A large flightless steamerduck with grey-blue plumage, a rust-orange head (male), and massive orange-red bill. Named for its habit of steaming across water using wings and feet. Found on rocky Patagonian coasts and sheltered channels. Among the world's heaviest ducks at up to 6 kg.

Physical Description

Measurement	Value	Imperial
Envergure	52,2 cm	20.6 in
Poids	4881,25 g	172.18 oz

Identification

Plumage

Heavy, flightless. Males gray with white eye-stripe and orange-yellow bill. Breast and flanks mottled rufous-brown. Females more brown with white eye-ring and olive-yellow bill. Wings used for steaming.

Habitat & Range

Rocky coastal shores, kelp-fringed channels, and sheltered bays of Patagonian Chile and Argentina. Flightless; confined to coastline. Nests on rocky shorelines. Uses wings to propel across water surface.

🏖️ Coastal

Répartition géographique

Breeds in the Arctic and sub-Arctic; winters on the open Pacific Ocean from British Columbia to Baja California.

Diet & Feeding

Feeds on seeds, aquatic invertebrates, and plant matter; dabbles in wetlands; diet heavily invertebrate during spring breeding.

Statut de conservation

Least Concern

IUCN Red List

Comportement et reproduction

Nidification

Incubation: 30-40 days. Fledging: 84 days.

Taille de la couvée

4-8

Son

Chant

A loud, rattling, staccato 'kik-kik-kik' that sounds like a steam engine — hence 'steamerduck'. The wings also produce a loud churring sound as they beat the water surface.

Taxonomie

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Ordre	Anseriformes (Waterfowl)
Famille	Anatidae (Ducks, Geese & Swans)
Genus	Tachyeres
Espèces	Tachyeres pteneres

Distribution

Magellanic Steamerduck has been recorded in 1 countries.

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Présent Not recorded

countries highlighted

🇳🇴 Norway

External Databases

Foire aux questions

What does the Magellanic Steamerduck eat?

Feeds on seeds, aquatic invertebrates, and plant matter; dabbles in wetlands; diet heavily invertebrate during spring breeding.

Where does the Magellanic Steamerduck live?

Rocky coastal shores, kelp-fringed channels, and sheltered bays of Patagonian Chile and Argentina. Flightless; confined to coastline. Nests on rocky shorelines. Uses wings to propel across water surface.

Is the Magellanic Steamerduck endangered?

The Magellanic Steamerduck has a conservation status of Least Concern.

How does the Magellanic Steamerduck nest?

Incubation: 30-40 days. Fledging: 84 days.

What does the Magellanic Steamerduck sound like?

A loud, rattling, staccato 'kik-kik-kik' that sounds like a steam engine — hence 'steamerduck'. The wings also produce a loud churring sound as they beat the water surface.

How big is the Magellanic Steamerduck?

The Magellanic Steamerduck has a wingspan of 52.2 cm, weight of 4881.25 g.

What order and family does the Magellanic Steamerduck belong to?

The Magellanic Steamerduck (Tachyeres pteneres) belongs to the order Anseriformes and the family Anatidae.