Torrent Duck

Sobre

O pato-torrencial é um pato altamente especializado encontrado ao longo de rios de montanha de correnteza rápida nos Andes da América do Sul. Tem morfologia único com corpo aerodinâmico, garras fortes e patas grandes para se aguentar em rochas. Os machos têm cabeça preta e branca listrada e corpo manchado. Habita rios andinos rápidos desde a Venezuela ao sul da Argentina. É um dos poucos patos perfeitamente adaptados à vida em habitats torrenciais de montanha.

Physical Description

Measurement	Value	Imperial
Envergadura	32,7 cm	12.9 in
Peso	366,875 g	12.94 oz

Identificação

Plumagem

Striking sexual dimorphism. Males have white head with black stripes and red bill; dark back with rufous breast. Females gray above with rufous-cinnamon underparts. Stiff tail; specialized for fast-running rivers.

Habitat & Range

Fast-flowing clear Andean mountain rivers and torrents at 1,500–4,500 m from Venezuela south through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Chile to Tierra del Fuego. Requires bouldered well-oxygenated rapids.

Distribuição geográfica

Breeds in the northern prairie pothole region; winters along both coasts of the United States and south to Mexico.

Diet & Feeding

Filter-feeds on aquatic invertebrates and seeds; dabbles in shallow wetlands; diet more plant-based in winter non-breeding period.

Estado de conservação

Least Concern

IUCN Red List

Comportamento e reprodução

Nidificação

Nest type: CV,O. Incubation: 43-44 days.

Tamanho da postura

3-4

Som

Canto

A sharp, staccato 'pit' or 'wit' call. Males give a loud, ringing whistle. The Torrent Duck is a fast-flowing Andean river specialist; calls carry over powerful rapids.

Taxonomia

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Ordem	Anseriformes (Waterfowl)
Família	Anatidae (Ducks, Geese & Swans)
Genus	Merganetta
Espécies	Merganetta armata

Distribution

Torrent Duck has been recorded in 4 countries.

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Presente Not recorded

countries highlighted

🇳🇴 Norway 🇨🇴 Colombia 🇪🇨 Ecuador 🇻🇪 Venezuela

External Databases

Perguntas frequentes

What does the Torrent Duck eat?

Filter-feeds on aquatic invertebrates and seeds; dabbles in shallow wetlands; diet more plant-based in winter non-breeding period.

Where does the Torrent Duck live?

Fast-flowing clear Andean mountain rivers and torrents at 1,500–4,500 m from Venezuela south through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Chile to Tierra del Fuego. Requires bouldered well-oxygenated rapids.

Is the Torrent Duck endangered?

The Torrent Duck has a conservation status of Least Concern.

How does the Torrent Duck nest?

Nest type: CV,O. Incubation: 43-44 days.

What does the Torrent Duck sound like?

A sharp, staccato 'pit' or 'wit' call. Males give a loud, ringing whistle. The Torrent Duck is a fast-flowing Andean river specialist; calls carry over powerful rapids.

How big is the Torrent Duck?

The Torrent Duck has a wingspan of 32.7 cm, weight of 366.875 g.

What order and family does the Torrent Duck belong to?

The Torrent Duck (Merganetta armata) belongs to the order Anseriformes and the family Anatidae.