Torrent Duck (Merganetta armata)

Identification & Behavior: ~40 cm (16 in). The male Torrent Duck has a striking black and white head and neck pattern and a red bill. The rest of the body is gray and white. The female is smaller, has orange-rufous underparts and throat, with gray head and upperparts, and a yellower bill. The juvenile is gray above and whitish below with barring on the sides.

Status: The Torrent Duck is uncommon to common in fast flowing rivers in both sides of the Andes at elevations ranging between 900 to 3500 m.

Name in Spanish: Pato de los Torrentes.

Sub-species: Torrent Duck (Merganetta armata) Gould, 1842.
M.  a. leucogenis:  Andes from C Ecuador to C Peru. M. a. turneri: Andes of s Peru (Cuzco and Arequipa).

Meaning of Name: Merganetta: Gr. Mergus= a merganser, and netta=a duck. armata: L. armed, armoured, in reference to the carpal spurs in Torrent Ducks.

See more of the Family Anatidae