DOCSLIB.ORG

Plumages and Wing Spurs of Torrent Ducks Merganetta Armata

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Plumages and Wing Spurs of Torrent Ducks Merganetta Armata Torrent Ducks 33 Plumages and wing spurs of Torrent Ducks Merganetta arm ata M ILTO N W. W ELLER i Introduction Because of the difficulties of studying The Torrent Duck Merganetta armata of this species in the wild or in keeping the Andean highlands is one of the most captive birds, an attempt has been made colourful and intriguing of all species of here to utilize the specimens collected by waterfowl. It has adapted to the demand­ scientists and professional collectors ing environment of cascading mountain throughout the Andes. Pooling data from torrents, and only rarely is seen in high­ these museum specimens permits the land lakes. Taxonomically, the species has biologist to visualize and even quantify been a puzzle, and Johnsgard (1966) has many of the major patterns before recently reviewed its biology and tax­ attempting to solve problems in the field. onomy. Both he and Delacour (1956) Such museum study is still impossible recognize only one species but differ with rarer species and at one time would in the number of races accepted. Sub­ have been difficult for Torrent Ducks. specific names here refer to Delacour’s However, there is now an excellent col­ terms which were based on Conover’s lection in the American Museum of (1943) classification and which are re­ Natural History and an especially fine corded on most museum specimens. series of young birds in the Conover My own experience with the species in Collection at the Field Museum of life is restricted to observations of several Natural History in Chicago. The sequence pairs in Chile (Curico Province) and ob­ of plumages was studied mostly from the servation of its habitat in northern Pata­ latter collection but nearly 200 skins were gonia (Provinces of Rio Negro and Neu- examined in museums in the eastern quen) and sub-tropical Argentina (Pro­ United States. vince of Jujuy) during 1964 and 1965. Another unusual feature of the Torrent Subsequently, this species was chosen as Duck is the presence of a metacarpal spur part of a study of the plumages of selec­ on each wing. True spurs are well-defined ted Neotropical anatids because of its pointed projections of a bony core covered dramatic sexual dimorphism despite its with horny material (as opposed to the isolation from other ducks (see Sibley bony knobs on the wings of geese) and are 1957, for a discussion of factors possibly not common among Anseriformes. They influencing dimorphism). occur in the three species of Screamers 1 Journal Paper No. J-5885 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames, Iowa. Project No. 1504. 34 Wildfowl (Anhimidae), and in the well-named garleppi and ‘ coffee-coloured ’ eyes in Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gam­ other races. Both sexes have wing spurs bensis (Rand 1954). It is interesting that but the colours of these in life have not Johnsgard (1966) has suggested placing been recorded. the Torrent Duck in the Tribe Cairinini The downy young are generally dark which also contains the Spur-winged grey above with a narrow white dorsal Goose. It is known that Screamers and stripe and two white bars on either side. Spur-winged Geese fight with their wings They are white ventrally and on the face but no such fighting has been reported and have a grey eyeline and an indistinct among Torrent Ducks. dark patch in the auricular area. During examination of specimens, it The juvenile plumage is female-like dor­ became obvious that spur length differs sally but is pure white below in both with sex and age of the birds, as noted sexes. Some individuals, especially of also by Conover (1943), Rand (1954) and Merganetta a. armata, have an orange- Delacour (1956). Spurs were measured as cinnamon tinge to feathers in the neck a potential age criterion to aid in under­ or upper chest region. Apparently this standing the chronology and sequence of occurs in both sexes although a con­ plumages. spicuous shortage of immature females in collections makes me question the data Description of plumages on some labels. The feathers of the side, The colourful plumages of the various flank and rump are broadly barred. forms of torrent ducks have been des­ cribed by Phillips (1926), Conover (1943) Sequence of plumages and Delacour (1956), and a general des­ Because the sequence and number of cription of the species will suffice here. plumages do not seem to differ in the Adult males are characterized by a bold various races, comments here are for the black and white head pattern and a species as a whole. The natal plumage is brownish grey body, wings and tail. The replaced in a pattern similar to that of crown, nape and the area at the base of other ducks. The tail is renewed very bill are black, and the face is white with early and some natal down clings to the an eyeline extending down the neck to the tail-feathers until the tail is fully juvenile upper breast and connected to the nape and much of the body is feathered. Natal by another black stripe. In the southern down also clings to back feathers. The Merganetta a. armata, the eyeline con­ advent of juvenile feathers on the ventral tinues in a circular fashion forward and surface and side precedes those on the downward and connects to a black chin, head and back. The entire body is essen­ throat and ventral neck. The back and tially fully feathered before the primaries scapular feathers are elongated and develop noticeably. Although body pointed, and various races have brown, plumage precedes wing development in tan, grey or white edges to these feathers. most species, flight usually is possible The chest, belly and side are very dark before or just as the back is fully and rufous in the southern race, but feathered (Weller 1957). Presumably their others have pale grey breasts streaked diving ability and the habitat provides with black. adequate safety and complete protective Adult females also are greyish dorsally body feathering is more valuable than are and on the head and neck, but they have flight feathers. finely vermiculated feathers in the eyeline Replacement of juvenile by adult area that extend down the side of the plumage begins as soon as the primaries neck and along the side. The lower face, are fully grown, as evidenced by five chin, thoat and entire ventral surface are flightless juveniles with no tail moult rich cinnamon. (Field Museum 10400, 14295, 16068, An iridescent green speculum is 13762, 14491) and seven flying immatures present on the secondaries of both sexes which have some notched juvenile and at all ages. It is bordered by a narrow some new adult tail-feathers (F. M. 13761, white line anteriorly (on the greater 14962, 88246, 16097, 12263, 17432, 14298). secondary coverts) and at the posterior of Concurrently, there is moult of the the secondaries themselves. Both sexes scapulars and upper back. These new have an extremely large alula, the func­ feathers are adult-like, being darker, tion of which can only be theorized. broader, more firm, and comparable in Both sexes have red bills and legs. The colour to those adults or to immatures in iris is said to be brown in both sexes advanced stages of plumage development. (Delacour 1956) but specimens in the Specimens with 1 to 7 adult tail-feathers Field Museum have labels indicating a uniformly show moult of the scapulars white iris in adult males Merganetta a. and often have new feathers on the side Torrent Ducks 35 of the neck and on the head. Specimens Either this head moult precedes that of with 4 to 10 adult tail-feathers also show northern races or too few specimens of moult of the back, side, undertail-coverts, other sub-species have been collected at rump, head and occasionally the chest. an appropriate time. Belly moult is rare until the tail is fully Almost no data are available for adult, but even then the belly feathers females and I suspect that many of the are the last to be replaced, being preceded immature specimens are mislabelled. by those on the chest, chest-side, and Many immature females have reddish flank, in that sequence. on the chest but so also do males of Mer­ As Conover (1943) noted, the new ganetta a. armata. The best specimens feathers which appear on juveniles are showing the transition from juvenile to fully adult in colour and pattern. There is nuptial plumage of females are F. M. no positive evidence of a dull first non­ 17432 (April—mostly juvenile) and inter­ nuptial plumage (the first basic plumage mediate specimens which still have the of Humphrey and Parkes 1959). There white belly but show a red throat (A. M. are possible exceptions with regards to the N. H. 424855) or a red throat and chest head and chest. The white facial area (F. M. 17433—taken in May). Several becomes mottled white and black when near-adult specimens retain only a few the distinct black pattern forms on males. white belly feathers (F. M. 17430—June; Specimens of what are assumed to be F. M. No. 19202—August). yearlings (see below) lack this mottling Most nesting of the southern form so that it is lost either by moult or by probably occurs in October to January wear. The distinct pattern formed during with a peak in November. Johnson (1963) this moult suggests that the latter may be reported two nests in October and the case. Another area of uncertainty is November, and a female was captured on the chests of both sexes when some on a nest in November at Cautin, Chile rufous feathers appear during the loss of (F.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Salvadori's Duck of New Guinea
    Salvadori’s Duck of New Guinea J . K E A R When Phillips published the fourth volume of to the diving ducks and mergansers. Then his Natural History of the Ducks in 1926, he Mayr (1931a) was able to examine a dead noted that Salvadori’s Duck Salvadorina specimen and found that the sternum and (Anas) waigiuensis was ‘the last to be brought trachea of the male were, although smaller, to light and perhaps the most interesting of the similar to those of the Mallard Anas platy­ peculiar anatine birds of the world’. It was still rhynchos. As a result, Salvadori’s Duck was practically unknown in 1926; the first moved to the genus A nas. However, as recorded wild nest was not seen until 1959 (H. Niethammer (1952) and Kear (1972) later M. van Deusen, in litt.), and even today the pointed out, the trachea of the Torrent and species has been little studied. Blue Duck are also Anas-like, so that, on this The first specimen was called Salvadorina character, the genera M e rg a n e tta and waigiuensis in 1894 by the Hon. Walter Hymenolaimus could also be eliminated, and Rothschild and by Dr Ernst Hartert, his all three species put with the typical dabbling curator at the Zoological Museum at Tring. ducks. The name was to honour Count Tomasso The present author had already studied the Salvadori, the Italian taxonomist who Blue Duck in New Zealand (Kear, 1972), and specialized both in waterfowl and in the birds was lucky enough to be able to watch of Papua New Guinea.
    [Show full text]
  • Disaggregation of Bird Families Listed on Cms Appendix Ii
    Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals 2nd Meeting of the Sessional Committee of the CMS Scientific Council (ScC-SC2) Bonn, Germany, 10 – 14 July 2017 UNEP/CMS/ScC-SC2/Inf.3 DISAGGREGATION OF BIRD FAMILIES LISTED ON CMS APPENDIX II (Prepared by the Appointed Councillors for Birds) Summary: The first meeting of the Sessional Committee of the Scientific Council identified the adoption of a new standard reference for avian taxonomy as an opportunity to disaggregate the higher-level taxa listed on Appendix II and to identify those that are considered to be migratory species and that have an unfavourable conservation status. The current paper presents an initial analysis of the higher-level disaggregation using the Handbook of the Birds of the World/BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World Volumes 1 and 2 taxonomy, and identifies the challenges in completing the analysis to identify all of the migratory species and the corresponding Range States. The document has been prepared by the COP Appointed Scientific Councilors for Birds. This is a supplementary paper to COP document UNEP/CMS/COP12/Doc.25.3 on Taxonomy and Nomenclature UNEP/CMS/ScC-Sc2/Inf.3 DISAGGREGATION OF BIRD FAMILIES LISTED ON CMS APPENDIX II 1. Through Resolution 11.19, the Conference of Parties adopted as the standard reference for bird taxonomy and nomenclature for Non-Passerine species the Handbook of the Birds of the World/BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World, Volume 1: Non-Passerines, by Josep del Hoyo and Nigel J. Collar (2014); 2.
    [Show full text]
  • A 2010 Supplement to Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard Papers in the Biological Sciences 2010 The World’s Waterfowl in the 21st Century: A 2010 Supplement to Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World Paul A. Johnsgard University of Nebraska-Lincoln, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/biosciducksgeeseswans Part of the Ornithology Commons Johnsgard, Paul A., "The World’s Waterfowl in the 21st Century: A 2010 Supplement to Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World" (2010). Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard. 20. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/biosciducksgeeseswans/20 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Papers in the Biological Sciences at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. The World’s Waterfowl in the 21st Century: A 200 Supplement to Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World Paul A. Johnsgard Pages xvii–xxiii: recent taxonomic changes, I have revised sev- Introduction to the Family Anatidae eral of the range maps to conform with more current information. For these updates I have Since the 978 publication of my Ducks, Geese relied largely on Kear (2005). and Swans of the World hundreds if not thou- Other important waterfowl books published sands of publications on the Anatidae have since 978 and covering the entire waterfowl appeared, making a comprehensive literature family include an identification guide to the supplement and text updating impossible.
    [Show full text]
  • References.Qxd 12/14/2004 10:35 AM Page 771
    Ducks_References.qxd 12/14/2004 10:35 AM Page 771 References Aarvak, T. and Øien, I.J. 1994. Dverggås Anser Adams, J.S. 1971. Black Swan at Lake Ellesmere. erythropus—en truet art i Norge. Vår Fuglefauna 17: 70–80. Wildl. Rev. 3: 23–25. Aarvak, T. and Øien, I.J. 2003. Moult and autumn Adams, P.A., Robertson, G.J. and Jones, I.L. 2000. migration of non-breeding Fennoscandian Lesser White- Time-activity budgets of Harlequin Ducks molting in fronted Geese Anser erythropus mapped by satellite the Gannet Islands, Labrador. Condor 102: 703–08. telemetry. Bird Conservation International 13: 213–226. Adrian, W.L., Spraker, T.R. and Davies, R.B. 1978. Aarvak, T., Øien, I.J. and Nagy, S. 1996. The Lesser Epornitics of aspergillosis in Mallards Anas platyrhynchos White-fronted Goose monitoring programme,Ann. Rept. in north central Colorado. J. Wildl. Dis. 14: 212–17. 1996, NOF Rappportserie, No. 7. Norwegian Ornitho- AEWA 2000. Report on the conservation status of logical Society, Klaebu. migratory waterbirds in the agreement area. Technical Series Aarvak, T., Øien, I.J., Syroechkovski Jr., E.E. and No. 1.Wetlands International,Wageningen, Netherlands. Kostadinova, I. 1997. The Lesser White-fronted Goose Afton, A.D. 1983. Male and female strategies for Monitoring Programme.Annual Report 1997. Klæbu, reproduction in Lesser Scaup. Unpubl. Ph.D. thesis. Norwegian Ornithological Society. NOF Raportserie, Univ. North Dakota, Grand Forks, US. Report no. 5-1997. Afton, A.D. 1984. Influence of age and time on Abbott, C.C. 1861. Notes on the birds of the Falkland reproductive performance of female Lesser Scaup.
    [Show full text]
  • Engelsk Register
    Danske navne på alverdens FUGLE ENGELSK REGISTER 1 Bearbejdning af paginering og sortering af registret er foretaget ved hjælp af Microsoft Excel, hvor det har været nødvendigt at indlede sidehenvisningerne med et bogstav og eventuelt 0 for siderne 1 til 99. Tallet efter bindestregen giver artens rækkefølge på siden.
    [Show full text]
  • Tribe Merganettini (Torrent Duck)
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard Papers in the Biological Sciences 2010 Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World: Tribe Merganettini (Torrent Duck) Paul A. Johnsgard University of Nebraska-Lincoln, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/biosciducksgeeseswans Part of the Ornithology Commons Johnsgard, Paul A., "Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World: Tribe Merganettini (Torrent Duck)" (2010). Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard. 11. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/biosciducksgeeseswans/11 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Papers in the Biological Sciences at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Tribe Merganettini (Torrent Duck) h4~~61. Breeding or residential distributions of the Colom- bian ("C") Peruvian ("I"'), and Argentine ("A") torrent ducks. Drawing on preceding page: Peruvian Torrent Duck body, and a contrasting rusty brown on the flanks Torrent Duck and underside of the head, neck, and body. The tail Merganetta armata Gould 1841 and wing patterns are like those of the male, as are the soft-part colors. Juveniles are generally grayish Other vernacular names. None in general English above and white below, with distinctive gray bar­ use. Sturzbachente (German); canard de torrents ring on the flanks. (French), pato corta-corrientes (Spanish). In the field, torrent ducks are the only waterfowl that inhabit the turbulent Andean streams, and are Subspecies and ranges.
    [Show full text]
  • BIRDS of BOLIVIA UPDATED SPECIES LIST (Version 03 June 2020) Compiled By: Sebastian K
    BIRDS OF BOLIVIA UPDATED SPECIES LIST (Version 03 June 2020) https://birdsofbolivia.org/ Compiled by: Sebastian K. Herzog, Scientific Director, Asociación Armonía ([email protected]) Status codes: R = residents known/expected to breed in Bolivia (includes partial migrants); (e) = endemic; NB = migrants not known or expected to breed in Bolivia; V = vagrants; H = hypothetical (observations not supported by tangible evidence); EX = extinct/extirpated; IN = introduced SACC = South American Classification Committee (http://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.htm) Background shading = Scientific and English names that have changed since Birds of Bolivia (2016, 2019) publication and thus differ from names used in the field guide BoB Synonyms, alternative common names, taxonomic ORDER / FAMILY # Status Scientific name SACC English name SACC plate # comments, and other notes RHEIFORMES RHEIDAE 1 R 5 Rhea americana Greater Rhea 2 R 5 Rhea pennata Lesser Rhea Rhea tarapacensis , Puna Rhea (BirdLife International) TINAMIFORMES TINAMIDAE 3 R 1 Nothocercus nigrocapillus Hooded Tinamou 4 R 1 Tinamus tao Gray Tinamou 5 H, R 1 Tinamus osgoodi Black Tinamou 6 R 1 Tinamus major Great Tinamou 7 R 1 Tinamus guttatus White-throated Tinamou 8 R 1 Crypturellus cinereus Cinereous Tinamou 9 R 2 Crypturellus soui Little Tinamou 10 R 2 Crypturellus obsoletus Brown Tinamou 11 R 1 Crypturellus undulatus Undulated Tinamou 12 R 2 Crypturellus strigulosus Brazilian Tinamou 13 R 1 Crypturellus atrocapillus Black-capped Tinamou 14 R 2 Crypturellus variegatus
    [Show full text]
  • The Mountain Tapir, Endangered 'Flagship' Species of the High Andes
    ORYX VOL 30 NO 1 JANUARY 1996 The mountain tapir, endangered 'flagship' species of the high Andes Craig C. Downer The mountain tapir has already disappeared from parts of its range in the high Andes of South America and remaining populations are severely threatened by hunting and habitat destruction. With an estimated population of fewer than 2500 individuals, urgent measures are necessary to secure a future for the species. This paper presents an overview of the species throughout its range as well as some of the main results of the author's studies on tapir ecology. Finally, a plea is made for conservation action in Sangay National Park, which is one of the species's main strongholds. The mountain tapir: an overview throughout its range. There is limited evi- dence to indicate that it may have occurred in The mountain tapir Tapirus pinchaque, was dis- western Venezuela about 20 years ago. covered by the French naturalist Roulin near However, Venezuelan authorities indicate a Sumapaz in the eastern Andes of Colombia total absence of mountain tapir remains from (Cuvier, 1829). The species is poorly known Venezuelan territory, either from the recent or and most information has come from oc- distant past (J. Paucar, F. Bisbal, O. Linares, casional observations or captures in the wild, pers. comms). Northern Peru contains only a reports from indigenous people in the small population (Grimwood, 1969). species's range, and observations and studies In common with many montane forests in zoological parks (Cuvier, 1829; Cabrera and world-wide, those of the Andes are being Yepes, 1940; Hershkovitz, 1954; Schauenberg, rapidly destroyed, causing the decline of the 1969; Bonney and Crotty, 1979).
    [Show full text]
  • The Taxonomy of the Anatidae—A Behavioural Analysis
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by UNL | Libraries University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Paul Johnsgard Collection Papers in the Biological Sciences 1-1961 The Taxonomy of the Anatidae—A Behavioural Analysis Paul A. Johnsgard University of Nebraska–Lincoln, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/johnsgard Part of the Ornithology Commons Johnsgard, Paul A., "The Taxonomy of the Anatidae—A Behavioural Analysis" (1961). Paul Johnsgard Collection. 29. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/johnsgard/29 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Papers in the Biological Sciences at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Paul Johnsgard Collection by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Published in THE IBIS 103a:1 (January 1961), pp. 71-85. Published by British Ornithologists' Union. 1961 P. A. JOHNSGARD : BEHAVIOURAL ANALYSIS OF ANATIDAl! 71 THE TAXONOMY OF THE ANATIDAE-A BEHAVIOURAL ANALYSIS P. A. JOHNSGARD Received on 14 May 1960 Delacour & Mayr's (1945) classic revision of the Anatidae took waterfowl behaviour into account to a much larger degree than had any previous classifications of the group. However, their utilization of behavi~>ur was primarily at the tribal and generic levels, and no real attempt was made to :use behaviour for det!!rmining intrageneric relationships. Thus far only Lorenz (1941, 1951-1953) has seriously attempteq this with waterfowl, and his analysis of the relatiOnShips within the genus Anas (sensu De1acour & Mayr) has provided a remarkable insight into the evolution of this group.
    [Show full text]
  • Paul Johnsgard: Comprehensive Vita and Bibliography
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Papers in Ornithology Papers in the Biological Sciences 1-31-2020 Paul Johnsgard: Comprehensive Vita and Bibliography Paul A. Johnsgard University of Nebraska-Lincoln, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/biosciornithology Part of the Ornithology Commons Johnsgard, Paul A., "Paul Johnsgard: Comprehensive Vita and Bibliography" (2020). Papers in Ornithology. 25. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/biosciornithology/25 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Papers in the Biological Sciences at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Papers in Ornithology by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Paul A. Johnsgard Foundation Regents Professor Emeritus School of Biological Sciences Office: (402) 472-2728 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Fax: (402) 472-2083 Lincoln, Ne 68588-0118 email: [email protected] websites: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/johnsgard/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Johnsgard https://nebraskaauthors.org/authors/paul-a-johnsgard Professional Experience B. S. (Zoology) 1953 North Dakota State University M.S. (Wildlife Management) 1955 Washington State University Ph.D. (Vertebrate Zoology) 1959 Cornell University Postdoctoral Fellow (N.S.F. & N.I.H) 1959-61 Bristol University (England) Instructor 1961-62 Dept. of Zoology, UN-L Assistant Professor (with tenure) 1962-65 Dept. of Zoology, UN-L Associate Professor 1965-68 Dept. of Zool. & Physiol., UN-L Professor 1968-1980 School of Biological Sciences, UN-L Foundation Regents Professor 1980-2001 School of Biological Sciences, UN-L Foundation Regents Prof. Emeritus 2001-present School of Biological Sciences, UN-L Professional Recognition & Awards Listed in American Men & Women of Science, Who’s Who in the Midwest, Contemporary Authors, The Writer’s Directory, Who’s Who in Frontier Science and Technology, etc.
    [Show full text]
  • ANSERIFORMES Taxon Advisory Group Regional Collection Plan 3Rd Edition • 2020 - 2025
    ANSERIFORMES Taxon Advisory Group Regional Collection Plan 3rd Edition • 2020 - 2025 Edited by Photo by Pinola Conservancy Keith Lovett, Anseriformes TAG Chair Buttonwood Park Zoo Table of Contents Acknowledgements 03 TAG Operational Structure 04 TAG Steering Committee and Advisors: Table 1 05 TAG Definition 06 TAG Mission 06 TAG Vision 06 TAG Strategic Planning Overview 07 TAG Goals Sustainability 08 Conservation 09 Husbandry and Welfare 09 Educational Waterfowl Awareness and Program Support 10 TAG Taxonomy 11 TAG Taxonomy: Table 2 12 Conservation Status of Anseriformes Overview 13 Conservation Status of Anseriformes: Table 3 14 RCP History and Program Designation Program Management Designation 20 Additional Management Designation 21 Selection Criteria Selection Criteria Overview 22 Decision Tree Selection Criteria Categories 23 Proposed EAZA Waterfowl TAG European Endangered 24 Species Program (EEP) Species Anseriformes Decision Tree: Table 4 25 Anseriformes TAG Selection Criteria / Decision Tree: Table 5 26 Anseriformes TAG Selection Criteria / Decision Tree Summary 33 Space Assessment Space Assessment Overview 34 Space Survey Accountability:Responding Insititutions: Table 6 35 Space Survey Accountability: Non-responding Insititutions: Table 7 37 Space Survey Results and Target Size: Table 8 38 Regional Anseriformes Populations: Table 9 39 Summary Table 46 Non-Recommended Species Replacement Overview 47 Non-Recommended Species Replacement Chart: Table 11 48 Management Update: Table 12 51 SSP Five Year Goals and Essential Actions 53
    [Show full text]
  • Observations on a Pair of Torrent Ducks
    Observations on a pair of Torrent Ducks JAN L. ELDRIDGE Introduction Study area Torrent Ducks of the southern subspecies, Río Nalcas begins in the snow fields of Merganetta armata armata, are widely dis­ Volcán Puntiagudo and drains about 27 km2 tributed throughout the lake district of before emptying into Lago Rupanco. My Chile but are ecologically limited to study area included the lower 2600 m of the torrential mountain streams (Johnsgard river between a major 50-m waterfall and 1966). Their river habitat is characterized by the lake. The pair I observed defended the swift, highly oxygenated, clear, cold water lower stretch of about 1700 m and a second that moves over a substratum of rock, pair defended a small stretch of about 900 m stones, and gravel with only limited areas of between the downriver territory and the sand and silt (Hynes 1970a). They feed falls. The gradient was milder in the down­ primarily on insect larvae that cling to river territory and the river channel was less boulders in streams. Their narrow, flexible than one meter deep. Wide, shallow riffles bills and large, forward-set eyes facilitate with reduced current and numerous foraging for invertebrates among rocky exposed rocks alternated with deep, fast, crevices (Johnsgard 1966; Kear 1975). unbroken channels or pools. In several Torrent Ducks are found in pairs places the river branched through a network throughout the year and are thought to be of small, stony islands covered with brush monogamous (Scott 1954; Johnson 1963; and beached logs. In most areas the stream Johnsgard 1966; Moffett 1970).
    [Show full text]