Photo: Cláudio Dias Timm from Rio Grande do Sul / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Black-headed Duck
Heteronetta atricapilla
Black-headed Duck (Heteronetta atricapilla) — Ducks, Geese & Swans of South America.
Found across 9 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Black-headed Duck (Heteronetta atricapilla) is a member of the Anatidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 538 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Anseriformes
- Family Anatidae Ducks, Geese, Swans
- Genus Heteronetta
- Species atricapilla
Where it lives
Central Chile, northern, central Argentina, southeastern Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul) and Uruguay
Quick facts
- Weight
- 538 g
- Diet
- Aquatic plant-eaters
- Family
- Anatidae
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Critically Endangered
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Black-headed Duck feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it swims and feeds in and around water.
Migration
The Black-headed Duck is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Black-headed Duck (Heteronetta atricapilla) belongs to the Anatidae family of the order Anseriformes. It occurs naturally across South America. Its distribution covers SA c Chile, n, c Argentina, se Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul) and Uruguay.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 538 g, with a wing length of about 17.4 cm and a tail of around 5.7 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 2 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Black-headed Duck?
The Black-headed Duck is a large bird that weighs around 538 g.
Where does the Black-headed Duck live?
The Black-headed Duck is found across South America with a range covering SA c Chile, n, c Argentina, se Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul) and Uruguay, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Black-headed Duck belong to?
The Black-headed Duck (Heteronetta atricapilla) belongs to the Anatidae family, in the order Anseriformes.
What does the Black-headed Duck eat?
The Black-headed Duck feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.
Does the Black-headed Duck migrate?
The Black-headed Duck is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Black-headed Duck endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Black-headed Duck make?
1 real field recording of the Black-headed Duck — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Black-headed Duck's range?
The Black-headed Duck has a mapped global range of about 2 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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