White-headed Steamer-Duck
Tachyeres leucocephalus
Large, flightless sea duck of the coast of Chubut and Santa Cruz provinces of SE Argentina. From Flying Steamer Duck by White-headed’s pale head, large size, and massive bill. Spends most of time near shore foraging for molluscs and crustaceans by diving. Often in small groups, sometimes mixed with smaller Flying Steamer-Duck.
Identification
Adult male Chubut steamer ducks have white heads with a bright yellow/orange bill with a black nail. Their webs and feet are yellow/orange with black claws. The rest of their plumage includes mostly grey bodies and white bellies. While the male is molting his bill turns to a duller yellow/orange.<p>Adult female Chubut steamer ducks have brown heads and necks with small white line going from the back of the eye to the fore-neck. Their bills have a greenish/yellow color.<p>The Adult female Chubut steamer duck looks very similar to the juvenile.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Tachyeres leucocephalus
- Authority
- Humphrey & Thompson, 1981
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Family
- Anatidae
- Genus
- Tachyeres
Range and habitat
The Chubut steamer duck was originally thought to only be found strictly in the southern coast of the Chubut province in Argentina. However it is now known to have a larger range from the southern portion of the San Matías Gulf to Islote Chato. The crucial populations for this species are found in Bahía San Gregorio (Argentina) [1], Bahía Melo [2], and Caleta Malaspina[3]. These three crucial populations are all located in the San Jorge Gulf.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Four-banded Sandgrouse
Pterocles quadricinctus
A small, short-tailed, intricately marked sandgrouse. The distinctive male has black marks on top of the head and three bands across the underparts. The female is plainer. Both sexes have a finely barred dark belly. Found in savanna and cultivation. Usually in pairs or small groups. Similar in size and shape to Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse, but lacks that species’ fine barring on the underparts. Female separated from female Black-faced Sandgrouse by the lack of a strong white mark across the underparts. The call is a rattling, high-pitched “brrr-eeee,” often given in flight.
Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatus
Fairly common on lakes, reservoirs, and along larger rivers, mainly with bordering reeds where it builds a floating nest platform. In winter sometimes seen on inshore ocean waters (mainly in freezing weather). Breeding pairs are territorial, but flocks form in winter. Large, elegant, and long-necked grebe. Breeding plumage has beautiful tawny cheeks and black crests (often held flat). In nonbreeding plumage, face and neck bright white with dark line through eye.
Nicobar Jungle Flycatcher
Cyornis nicobaricus
A plump flycatcher with brown upperparts, whitish underparts, and warm brown flanks. Note the pale feet and the large, bicolored bill with a hooked tip. Restricted to the forests of the Nicobar Islands, where it makes sallies for insects from low perches. Song said to be a rapid series of loud, melodic whistles ending with a soft, short “trrr.”
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.