Formerly lumped with the next species, but isolated in the puna zone of the Andes from central Peru
to northern Chile, including western Bolivia, and just reaching north-west Argentina. Basically resident but
occasionally descends to the Peruvian coast, lakes with fringe and surface vegetation are its normal habitat, in
pairs or small parties, mixing freely with other species. Apart from ranges not overlapping, it is easily distinguished from
Silver Teal by its larger size and lack of yellow on the bill, plus more finely barred flanks. Birds shown here
are captive except the centre shot which was taken in Chile.
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HOMEPAGE