Justification This species is classified as Near Threatened as it has a small global population within which all its subpopulations are small. If it was demonstrated to be declining it would qualify as Vulnerable.

Family/Sub-family Anatidae

Species name author King, 1828

Taxonomic source(s) SACC (2005 + updates), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993), Stotz et al. (1996)

Synonyms Anas specularis BirdLife International (2004), Anas specularis Stotz et al. (1996), Anas specularis BirdLife International (2000), Anas specularis Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993), Anas specularis Collar et al. (1994)

Identification 46-54 cm. A dull duck with a bold head pattern. Dark brown hood with oval patch between lores and malar, white. Large white gular crescent. Dark chocolate brown above with buff scalloping on back, paler grey-buff below, mottled dusky. Vinaceous bronze wing speculum. Similar spp. Only possibly confused with Chiloe Wigeon A. sibilatrix which has an obvious green sheen on head and rusty flanks. Its upperparts are broadly fringed white and has an obvious white wing patch. Voice Male utters a trilled whistle or harsh hiss sie sie and female bark-like gue gue notes. Hints Occurs in pairs or small groups; generally retiring. Mostly in open rivers.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

2,500-9,999

unset

386,000 km²

No

Range & population Speculanas specularis is most common in the Andean valleys of south Chile and west-central Argentina to Tierra del Fuego. It has been suggested that some birds disperse north and east after the breeding season¹. The population is estimated at fewer than 10,000 individuals⁷, but there are few obvious threats and numbers seem stable.

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: It breeds mostly by fast-flowing rivers in forested regions up to 1,800 m, but also on wetlands, ponds and lakes away from dense forests^1,2,4,6. Breeding begins in September-October, with egg-laying in October-November, and a c.30 day incubation period in captivity¹. It feeds on seeds, leaves and stems of aquatic plants, variable amounts of aquatic invertebrates, and sometimes in the leaf-litter of forests away from water^1,2.

Threats Potential threats include predation by Mustela vison⁵, increased pressure from tourism (e.g. in Los Glaciares National Park²), and salmon farming and trout stocking on Chilean rivers³.

Conservation measures underway It is well represented within protected areas, occurring in seven Argentinean National Parks⁶ and Torres del Paine National Park, Chile³.

Conservation measures proposed Census and monitor the population. Research potential threats from tourism, predation and fish farming. Ensure the effective protection of the protected areas in which it occurs.

References 1. Carboneras (1992a). 2. S. Imberti in litt. (1999). 3. A. Jaramillo in litt. (1999). 4. Parker et al. (1996). 5. M. Pearman in litt. (1999). 6. Delany and Scott (2002). 7. R. Schlatter (in litt. 2002 to Wetlands International 2002).

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), David Capper (BirdLife International), Juan Mazar Barnett (Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales), John Pilgrim (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Contributors Santiago Imberti, Alvaro P. Jaramillo, Mark Pearman

IUCN Red List evaluators Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2010) Species factsheet: Speculanas specularis. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 30/7/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife

To contribute to discussions on the evaluation of the IUCN Red List status of Globally Threatened Birds, please visit BirdLife's Globally Threatened Bird Forums