Yet another odd duck with uncertain affinities, fairly common over
eastern South America, with an isolated population on the Falklands. Two races occur with the nominate being found
from central Chile to Tierra del Fuego, often near the coast, breeding on shores or islets; post breeding flocks
are often found around estuaries. The second race, alticola, breeds on high Andean lakes from Bolivia south,
although there is a gap in distribution migratory movements in winter mean the two races are not completely allopatric.
Physiological differences are few, a split is unlikely at present.
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HOMEPAGE
