From Opus

Photo by Photo by babblerboy
Photo taken: Canastra National Park, Brazil.

Mergus octosetaceus

[edit] Identification

49-56cm. Shiny dark-green hood, long crest, dark grey upperparts, light grey breast, whitish belly, white wing patch, long thin black bill, red feet and legs. Female - smaller, shorter bill and crest. Juvenile - mainly black, white throat and breast.

[edit] Distribution

Brazil.

[edit] Taxonomy

Monotypic.

[edit] Habitat

Mountainous regions with clean rivers and streams, river rapids and riparian vegetation.

[edit] Behaviour

They nest in tree cavities, rock crevices, or disused burrows; 3-6 eggs are laid and incubated by the female but both parents care for the young.

The diet includes mainly fish, but also molluscs, insects and their larvae.

[edit] External Links