Spectacled Duck
Speculanas specularis
Silhouette: Sheatherius · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderAnseriformes (Waterfowl)
- FamilyAnatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Swans)
- GenusSpeculanas
- SpeciesSpeculanas specularis (Spectacled Duck)
About the Spectacled Duck
The bronze-winged duck (Speculanas specularis) also known as the spectacled duck, is a dabbling duck and the sole member of its genus Speculanas. It is often placed in Anas with most other dabbling ducks, but its closest relative is either the crested duck or the Brazilian duck, which likewise form monotypic genera. Together they belong to a South American lineage which diverged early from the other dabbling ducks and may include the steamer ducks.
Named after the "bronze" speculum this species is also known as "pato perro" or "dog-duck" after the harsh barking call of the female. The bronze-winged duck lives among forested rivers and fast-flowing streams on the lower slopes of the South American Andes, in central and southern Chile and adjacent parts of Argentina.
The sexes are alike. The species lives on forested rivers. While they appear to prefer fast-moving water, they can also be found less frequently in forested ponds. They eat plants and small invertebrates, including water crowfoot (Ranunculus sp.), water milfoil (Myriophyllum sp.), bulrushes, as well as caddisfly larvae and snails. Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Spectacled Duck in Torres del Paine National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Torres del Paine National Park
Upland Goose
Chloephaga picta
Yellow-billed Pintail
Anas georgica
Crested Duck
Lophonetta specularioides
Chiloé Wigeon
Mareca sibilatrix
Speckled Teal
Anas flavirostris
Flying Steamer-Duck
Tachyeres patachonicus
Black-necked Swan
Cygnus melancoryphus
Red Shoveler
Spatula platalea
Andean Ruddy Duck
Oxyura ferruginea
Ashy-headed Goose
Chloephaga poliocephala
Coscoroba Swan
Coscoroba coscoroba
Argentine Blue-bill
Oxyura vittata
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Torres del Paine National Park | 🇨🇱 Chile | |
| 2 | Tierra del Fuego National Park | 🇦🇷 Argentina |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Spectacled Duck in Torres del Paine National Park?
About 30% of wildlife watchers report a Spectacled Duck sighting in Torres del Paine National Park, based on 489 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Spectacled Duck in Torres del Paine National Park?
July has the highest sighting rate for Spectacled Duck in Torres del Paine National Park in our monthly data.