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Merganetta armata
Its a member of the duck, goose and swan family Anatidae. Its closest relative may be the Blue Duck of New Zealand. It is a powerful swimmer and diver even in white water, but is reluctant to fly more than short distances. It is native to the mountains of Colombia and the Santa Marta mountains of the Andes. It can also be found along the west coasts of Venezuela, Ecuador, Chile, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina.
They live in areas of some of the most powerful and fast flowing rivers in the Andes, which are surrounded by rigid and steep mountain slopes. Water that flows from the ice capped mountains runs off creating waterfalls and rivers, where torrent ducks live and thrive.
Seen at Otún-Quimbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuary.
Spotted on Jan 10, 2012
Submitted on Jan 16, 2012
2 Comments
Thank you, Andrea :)
This is the female of this species, the male is white.
Beautiful!