| Black-headed Duck |
Article Index for Black-headed |
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Information AboutBlack-headed Duck |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT BLACK-HEADED DUCK | |
| oxyurinae | |
| genera of birds | |
| brood parasites | |
| ducks | |
The Black-headed Duck (''Heteronetta atricapilla'') is a South America n duck allied to the Stiff-tailed Duck s in the subfamily Oxyurinae of the family Anatidae . It is a small dark duck, the male with a black head and mantle and a paler flank and belly and the female pale brown overall. They live in Swamp s lakes and marshes in North Chile , Paraguay , and North Argentina , feeding by dabbling on water plants and insects. The Black-headed Duck is of interest as an obligate brood parasite, laying its eggs in the nests of other ducks, particularly the Rosybill (''Netta peposaca''), and also in Coot (''Fulica'' species) and even Gull nests. Unlike Cuckoo s and some other brood parasites neither the chicks nor adults destroy the eggs or kill the chicks of the host. Instead, after incubating for 21 days, they Fledge after a few hours and are completely independent immediately. |
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