Fun Black-headed Duck Facts For Kids
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Seemingly shy and quiet, the black-headed duck (Heteronetta atricapilla) of South America is closely related to the stiff-tailed ducks of the Oxyurini tribe. Both black-headed ducks and stiff-tailed ducks belong to the family Anatidae, but unlike their relatives, the black-headed ducks lack the swollen bill and the stiff tail feathers. It is the only species in the genus Heteronetta.
The black-headed ducks are a unique aquatic fowl species. They are brood parasites, which means that they lay their eggs in the nests of other birds.
The host birds are mostly rosy-billed pochards (Netta peposaca), coots (Fulica species), other ducks, and sometimes even gulls and birds of prey. Within their range in South America, the species is found in southern Brazil, northern Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Chile.
The black-headed ducks inhabit marshes, swamps, bogs, peatlands, fens, and freshwater lakes. As evident from their name, the head of these South American aquatic birds is black. In contrast, the rest of the plumage is blackish-brown.
They are mostly a vegetarian species, feeding on both terrestrial and aquatic plant material. Insects and aquatic crustaceans also occasionally form a part of the species' diet.
Read on for more interesting facts about the South American black-headed duck! You can also explore other fascinating duck species such as the wood duck and Argentine lake duck.
Black-headed Duck Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a black-headed duck?
The black-headed duck (Heteronetta atricapilla) is a species of duck in the family Anatidae. The aquatic bird is related to the stiff-tailed ducks of the Oxyurini tribe.
What class of animal does a black-headed duck belong to?
Black-headed ducks belong to the class of birds.
How many black-headed ducks are there in the world?
An estimate of the total population size of the black-headed duck is not available. However, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reports the species as having a globally stable population.
Where does a black-headed duck live?
Black-headed ducks are found in South America in southern Brazil, northern Argentina, coastal Uruguay, central Paraguay, and central Chile. In Chile, their range extends from Región Metropolitana de Santiago to Valdivia Province, and in Argentina, their range includes the La Pampa provinces and the northern portions of Buenos Aires.
The species is partially migratory; during the austral winters, the breeding populations in the south travel north. In contrast, the northern breeding populations are resident in their respective range.
What is a black-headed duck's habitat?
The natural habitat of the black-headed duck includes marshes, swamps, bogs, peatlands, fens, and permanent freshwater lakes. The birds also inhabit semi-permanent freshwater marshes and terrestrial environments with an abundance of plants.
Who do black-headed ducks live with?
When migrating, the black-headed ducks fly in flocks comprising up to 40 birds. Since the bird does not make its own nest and lays its eggs in the nests of other birds, it is not very territorial either. Male and female black-headed ducks survey nearby nest sites in search of suitable host birds.
How long does a black-headed duck live?
Specific information regarding the longevity of black-headed ducks is not available. The highest record lifespan within the Anatidae family is 28 years.
How do they reproduce?
Both the male and female members of the species have multiple mating partners during the breeding season. The bird breeds twice a year, and the breeding season occurs during fall and spring.
Since the black-headed ducks are brood parasites, the females lay their eggs in the nests of other bird species, especially coots of the Fulica species. Other host bird species include the rose-billed pochard (Netta peposaca), other ducks, gulls, and occasionally raptors.
A female black-headed duck lays about four eggs per breeding season. The eggs are deposited in nests about 3 ft (1 m) above the water.
Black-headed ducks take no responsibility for incubating their eggs. The eggs are incubated by the host for about 21 days, and chicks become capable of feeding and walking on their own a few hours after hatching.
Even though the black-headed duck sneaks up on others' nests to lay eggs, they do not harm the chicks and eggs of the host species.
What is their conservation status?
As per the IUCN Red List, the South American black-headed duck (Heteronetta atricapilla) is a species of Least Concern.
Black-headed Duck Fun Facts
What do black-headed ducks look like?
It is obvious by now that the black-headed duck has a black head. Tthe plumage on the wings and back is also black.
Other than the black head, the upper body plumage of the males is blackish-brown with minute pale speckles and vermiculations. The underparts are whitish with brown mottling. Their bluish bill dons a red spot at the base during the breeding season.
The females have a dusky brown upper body plumage, and the sides and face are pale browns. The species has a relatively bland and unpatterned plumage. The ducks have dark gray legs.
Interestingly, the species undergoes molting twice a year. Molting into the nuptial plumage takes place in August and September, and it gets replaced by the non-nuptial plumage in December and January.
How cute are they?
The black-headed duck is not very large in size and looks quite adorable due to its plump physique.
How do they communicate?
The black-headed ducks are not very vocal. They give out a low 'quah-quah' sound as part of the toad-call display observed as part of courtship behavior.
During the toad-call display, the males inflate their cheeks and neck and raise their bills at regular intervals to give out the 'quah-quah' call. The toad-posture is another form of threat display performed by the males wherein individuals inflate their throats and keep their heads low. The feathers on the cheek, head, and neck stand erect.
Other calls include croaks, rasps, and gentle whistles. The female duck makes clucking sounds.
How big is a black-headed duck?
An adult black-headed duck ranges in length between 13.8-15.7 in (35-40 cm). It is smaller than the American black duck (Anas rubripes) native to North America.
How fast can a black-headed duck move?
The movement speed of the black-headed ducks is not available. Since some members of their population undertake seasonal migration, it can be said they are quite the fliers!
How much does a black-headed duck weigh?
The female black-head ducks are larger than their male counterparts. While the average weight of a female is about 19.9 oz (564.1 g), a male weighs about 18.1 oz (513 g).
What are the male and female names of the species?
In general, an adult male duck is called a drake, and an adult female duck is called a hen or simply duck.
What would you call a baby black-headed duck?
Baby ducks would be called ducklings or chicks.
What do they eat?
The food of black-headed ducks includes various plant materials such as seeds, aquatic grasses, seagrasses, underground tubers, and submerged pond weeds. They may also prey on insects and aquatic crustaceans.
Are they dangerous?
Black-headed ducks are not known to be dangerous to humans.
Would they make a good pet?
The black-headed duck is not a pet breed and may not fare well in a domestic environment. Even though the species is easily maintained in captivity, it is not very popular in aviculture.
Did you know...
The Cayuga duck is an American breed of domestic duck. It sports a spectacular all-black plumage with beetle-green iridescence.
What is special about black-headed ducks?
A unique aspect of the black-headed duck is that it is an obligate brood parasite. This distinctive waterfowl does not build its own nest and deposits its eggs in the nests of other bird species.
Comparisons with other ducks
The most significant difference between the black-headed duck and other ducks is that the former is a brood parasite that lays its eggs in the nest of other bird species. It is the only duck to exhibit such brood parasitic behavior. Apart from that, the black-headed ducks have pretty much similar characteristics as other ducks.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our African black duck facts or mottled duck facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable duck coloring pages.
Second image by CheepShot.
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Bachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management
Moumita DuttaBachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management
A content writer and editor with a passion for sports, Moumita has honed her skills in producing compelling match reports and stories about sporting heroes. She holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management, Calcutta University, alongside a postgraduate diploma in Sports Management.
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