In the Falkland Islands this is a 'Grey Duck', a resident breeder. Male and female alike, male slightly larger an a little more richly coloured. Length: 51 - 61 cm (20 - 24 inches). Feeds by upending in shallow water and seiving small marine invertebrates from liquid mud and kelp. It is aggressive and territorial and will attack other species it's own.

Nests, which are lined with down, are close to water but usually well inland in grass, tussac, or diddledee.

Common and widespread on sheltered Falklands coasts and creeks.

The Falklands race is very common in Tierra del Fuego and the Beagle Channel Islands and in coastal regions of Chile and Argentina.

Sources include: Falkland Islands State of the Environment Report 2008 Otley H, Munro G, Clausen A, Ingham B. A Field Guide to the Wildlife of The Falkland Islands and South Georgia - Ian J Strange, Guide to Birds of the Falkland Islands- Robin W. Woods.

Photographic credits: Robert Maddocks

Photographs and Images Copyright: The images on this site have been bought under licence or have been used with the permission of their owners. They may not be copied or downloaded in any form without their owner's consent.