Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Photographs on this web-site were taken by Paul Smith, Hemme Batjes, Regis Nossent,
Alberto Esquivel, Arne Lesterhuis, Rebecca Zarza, José Luis Cartes and Hugo del Castillo and are used with their permission.
BLACK-HEADED DUCK Heteronetta atricapilla
A secretive duck which swims low in the water, perhaps the most amazing thing about the biology of this species is that it is the only member of its family that is a nest parasite! In other words, just like cowbirds they lay their eggs in the nests of birds of other species (especially coots) and leave the foster parents to hatch them. However unlike cowbirds the ducklings quickly become self-sufficient and are able to care for themselves within a few days of hatching.
FIGURE 1 - Pair with male in foreground, Central Chaco (José Luis Cartes undated).
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