Order
Anseriformes
Family
Anatidae
Genus
Heteronetta
 
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Version 1.0

This is a historic version of this account.  Current version

 - Black-headed Duck
 - Black-headed Duck
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Black-headed Duck Heteronetta atricapilla

Peter E. Lowther
Version: 1.0 — Published October 15, 2010

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Introduction

The Black-headed Duck is a small, teal-sized duck found in temperate South America. This species is unique among ducks in that it is an obligate brood parasite. In its interactions with its host species, Black-headed Ducks procure the services of incubation from the host; as a precocial species, parental care provided newly-hatched ducklings is minimal since Black-headed Duck young soon leave host broods.

Distribution of the Black-headed Duck - Range Map
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  • Year-round
  • Migration
  • Breeding
  • Non-Breeding
Distribution of the Black-headed Duck

Recommended Citation

Lowther, P. E. (2010). Black-headed Duck (Heteronetta atricapilla), version 1.0. In Neotropical Birds Online (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/nb.blhduc1.01