- Mergus octosetaceus
Identification
49-56cm
- Shiny dark-green hood
- Long crest
- Dark grey upperparts
- Light grey breast
- Whitish belly
- White wing speculum
- Long thin black bill
- Red feet and legs
Female: smaller, shorter bill and crest>br /> Juvenile: mainly black, white throat and breast
Distribution
South-central South America (Paraguai-Paraná drainage system): found in Brazil and Argentina.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
Mountainous regions with clean rivers and streams, river rapids and riparian vegetation.
Behaviour
Breeding
They nest in tree cavities, rock crevices, or disused burrows. The clutch of 3-6 eggs are incubated by the female but both parents care for the young.
Diet
The diet includes mainly fish, but also molluscs, insects and their larvae.
References
- Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Avibase
- Wikipedia
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Brazilian Merganser. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 23 November 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Brazilian_Merganser
