Fact File
Characteristics
- They have spurred wings.
- They are the largest species named ‘duck’.
- The males are very aggressive to each other in the mating season, and occasionally other waterfowl.
- When the young ducks leave the nest their parents chase them away from their territory. They will flock with other immature Steamer Ducks.
Fuegian Steamer Duck
Tachyeres pteneres
Animals, Birds (Aves), Anseriformes (waterfowl), Anatidae (ducks, geese, swans)
Fuegian Steamer Ducks are a South American duck species, and are also the largest species called ‘duck’, although they are only distantly related to true ducks. They are as big as many geese. They are flightless as their wings are small, and live on shorelines hunting for sea creatures to eat.
Males, like females, are blue-grey, but have a paler colour on the crown and forehead. Females may also have a brownish colouration to their feathers. Juveniles are like females, but may be duller.
They will move inland or to sheltered areas to breed, and although young and eggs may be hunted by animals such as foxes and gulls, the adults have no natural predators. They are classified as ‘Least Concern’ as their numbers are stable and they have a large range, although they don’t have high numbers.
Habitat: Rocky coastlines, where they can forage in the sea at high tide.
Vital Statistics:
–Average weight: 4.8kg
–Average length: 75cm
Life Expectancy:
In the wild up to: 15 years
In captivity up to: 15 years
Diet: Eat molluscs, crustaceans and fish.
Distribution: Coasts of South America from southern Chile to Tierra del Fuego.