Fun Argentine Lake Duck Facts For Kids

The Argentine blue-bill (lake duck) is a small species of birds that predominately thrive in freshwater lakes and small pools. They have a specified geographical range and are mostly found in South American countries like Argentina and Chile. Sometimes, these birds migrate to southern parts of Paraguay and Brazil to escape the winter.

Males are set apart due to their deep chestnut body and cobalt blue bill. These birds have black-colored heads which extend down to their throats. In contrast, females are not that bright. They have a brown plumage, a white throat, and a white band under their eyes.

Do you want to know more about these birds? Then keep reading for interesting and fun facts about them. You may also like to read facts about crested duck and ring-necked duck too.
 

What type of animal is an Argentine lake duck?

The Argentine lake duck is a species of duck that belongs to the Anatidae family. It is also known as the Argentine ruddy duck or the Argentine blue-bill duck.

What class of animal does an Argentine lake duck belong to?

Lake ducks (Oxyura vittata) belong to the class Aves and phylum Chordata.

How many Argentine lake ducks are there in the world?

The exact population of Argentine ruddy ducks is tough to calculate because these birds are very secretive in nature. According to a study by the IUCN, it is estimated that the population ranges from 6700 to 67,000, which is quite stable.

Where does an Argentine lake duck live?

Argentine ruddy ducks are South American birds. They naturally reside in freshwater lakes and small pools in the geographical range consisting of Argentina and Chile. During the winter, these birds extend their range, occasionally migrating to southern parts of Brazil and Paraguay.

What is an Argentine lake duck's habitat?

Argentine lake ducks (Oxyura vittata) thrive in wetlands such as freshwater lakes, small pools, and marshes. They usually prefer living in wetland areas with vast vegetation. These ducks walk in an awkward and shaky manner because of their disproportionate legs. Therefore, they are more comfortable in the water.

Who do Argentine lake ducks live with?

An Argentine lake duck (Oxyura vittata) is a social bird and prefers living in a group, like all other species of duck. Male Argentine lake ducks occasionally fight with each other and females are aggressive only when they are guarding their young ones.

How long does an Argentine lake duck live?

The exact lifespan of an Argentine lake duck has not been recorded yet. Although, different species of ducks approximately live for two to 12 years.

How do they reproduce?

A male Argentine ruddy duck is famous among all the vertebrates for having the largest reproductive organ in terms of its body length. The reproductive organ becomes almost the size of the male bird when it is about to mate. Most of the time, it remains half the size when it is rolled up in the flaccid state. Also, these species are polygamous in nature. In Argentina, the breeding season generally occurs from October to January. The entire breeding process does not take more than a few seconds. After copulation, males tend to leave in search of another partner. Females lay three to five eggs and incubate them for 23 to 24 days. They look after the young ones, also known as ducklings, for a few weeks.

What is their conservation status?

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the conservation status of an Argentine ruddy duck (Oxyura vittata) is Least Concern. They have a stable population but this species is facing habitat destruction.

What do Argentine lake ducks look like?

Argentine blue-bills are small ducks who are found in South American countries like Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Brazil. The plumage of a male is characterized by a deep chestnut body and a black head and throat. The most attractive feature of male birds is the cobalt blue bill. On the other hand, females are mostly dull in color with a brown body and white throat. A female also has a white band under her eyes. Both of them have flat heads and long tails.

How cute are they?

Yes, this species is elegant because of their bright chestnut plumage and blue bill. Baby ducks, also known as ducklings, are very fluffy and cute.

How do they communicate?

Argentine ruddy ducks are particularly vocal. Male lake ducks produce soft and whispering noises. On the other hand, females squawk when they face forced copulation or any unwanted brawls with other species.

How big is an Argentine lake duck?

The length of these ruddy ducks is 14.17-18.11 in (36-46 cm). It is bigger than an African pygmy goose, another type of waterfowl.

How fast can an Argentine lake duck fly?

The exact speed of this species has not been calculated yet. Although, like other waterfowls, an Argentine lake duck (Oxyura vittata) should have an average flying speed of 50 mph (80.5 kph).

How much does an Argentine lake duck weigh?

A male Argentine ruddy duck weighs 1.3-1.8 lb (600–850 g) and a female Argentine ruddy duck weighs 1.2-1.5 lb (510–700 g).

What are their male and female names of the species?

A male bird is called a drake and a female bird is called a duck or hen.

What would you call a baby Argentine lake duck?

A baby Argentine ruddy duck is called a duckling.

What do they eat?

The diet of this species consists of larvae, small invertebrates, and small aquatic animals like fish, crabs, and snails. Apart from this, they also like to eat plant materials like seeds and grass.

Are they dangerous?

An Argentine ruddy duck (Oxyura vittata) does not cause any serious harm to humans. Although, females tend to become aggressive if their young ones are threatened.

Would they make a good pet?

Argentine ruddy ducks, like most ducks, are harmless in nature. Therefore, they can be domesticated but it is important to remember that they are wild animals and thrive better in an open environment.

Did you know...

Males often attempt to copulate forcefully with females, but most of them fail to impregnate them. This is because the process of copulation in ruddy ducks is quite complicated and females can retain control to protect themselves against unwanted fertilization.

A male Argentine ruddy duck is famous for having the largest external genitalia in terms of its body length among all vertebrates. It sometimes becomes 16.7 in (42.5 cm) in length which is almost the size of a male bird when it is about to copulate.

What is the Argentine lake duck's mating process?

In Argentina, the breeding season of these birds is usually from October to January. The two sexes bring their reproductive organs together to allow the semen to move from the male to the female bird. This entire mating process does not take more than a few seconds. This species is polygamous in nature.

What is the temperament of an Argentine lake duck?

Male Argentine lake ducks rarely fight but female Argentine lake ducks are quite aggressive when they are trying to protect their young ones.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds including blue-winged teal, or African pygmy goose.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our argentine lake duck coloring pages.