Birds
Falkland Steamer Duck
Tachyeres brachypterus · also called Falkland flightless steamer duck
Churning across the water in a motion that recalls the paddle wheels of an old steamship, a Falkland steamer duck has traded the ability to fly for a heavily built body suited entirely to life along the rocky coastline it calls home.
Overview
The Falkland steamer duck, Tachyeres brachypterus, is a Least Concern waterfowl species native to coastal habitat around the entire coastline of the Falkland Islands. Its complete flightlessness, single-island endemism, and distinctive water-churning locomotion make it one of the more physically and behaviourally unusual ducks found anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere.
A duck that gave up flying for the water
Having abandoned flight entirely, the Falkland steamer duck instead channels all its energy into powerful swimming and paddling, a trade-off that has served it well on an island group with no native land predators to escape from by air.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread and generally stable around the coastline of the Falkland Islands.
Falkland Steamer Duck: common questions
Can the Falkland steamer duck fly?
No, this species is completely flightless, having lost the ability to fly entirely, unlike some related steamer duck species found elsewhere that retain limited flight.
Why is it called a steamer duck?
This species propels itself rapidly across the water's surface using both its wings and feet in a churning motion that resembles the paddle wheels of an old steamship, giving the species its common name.
Where is the Falkland steamer duck found?
This species is found only in the Falkland Islands, making it entirely endemic to that one island group rather than ranging into neighbouring South American waters.
Are Falkland steamer ducks territorial?
Yes, this species is strongly territorial, with pairs aggressively defending a stretch of coastline against other steamer ducks throughout the year, not just during the breeding season.