Stats

Lifespan: 10-15 yrs
Size: Small
Diet: Insectivore
Activity: Diurnal
Social: Pair
Biome: Freshwater wetland
Range: South America
Movement: Swimming
Breeding: Egg-laying
Defense: Camouflage
Status: Uncommon

About

Torrent ducks are small waterfowl with long legs and webbed feet, often found in fast-moving streams and rivers. They are the only ducks with a specialized, paddle-like tail that they use to propel themselves through the water.

Life cycle

1.
egg
A clutch of eggs rests in a down-lined nest near water, covered and warmed by the brooding female.
2.
hatchling
A downy hatchling follows its mother to the water within hours and feeds itself almost immediately.
3.
juvenile
A juvenile grows its first true feathers, swimming in the family group and learning to dabble or dive.
4.
adult
Fully grown with adult plumage.

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Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Merganetta
Species: Merganetta armata