Black-headed Duck
A species of Black-headed Duck Scientific name : Heteronetta atricapilla Genus : Black-headed Duck
Black-headed Duck, A species of Black-headed Duck
Botanical name: Heteronetta atricapilla
Genus: Black-headed Duck
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Lars Petersson
Description
This is the most basal living member of its subfamily, and it lacks the stiff tail and swollen bill of its relatives. Overall much resembling a fairly typical diving duck, its plumage and other peculiarities indicate it is not a very close relative of these, but rather the product of convergent evolution in the ancestors of the stiff-tailed ducks. It is a small, dark duck, the male with a black head and mantle and a paler flank and belly, and the female pale brown overall.
Size
40 cm
Habitat
The black-headed Duck predominantly inhabits freshwater marshes with abundant Scirpus californicus vegetation. These environments are semi-permanent and provide vital resources for their survival and breeding. Outside their breeding season, they adapt to a variety of aquatic environments, including lakes, roadside ditches, and occasionally, seasonally flooded agricultural fields.
Dite type
Omnivorous
General Info
Distribution Area
They live in swamps, lakes and marshes in central Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, northern Argentina and southern Brazil, feeding by dabbling on water plants and insects.
Photo By Lars Petersson
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Waterfowl Family
Geese Genus
Black-headed Duck Species
Black-headed Duck