Birds
Spectacled Duck
Speculanas specularis
Nesting in a tree cavity above a forested Patagonian stream rather than on the ground like most ducks, a spectacled duck takes its name from a pale ring of feathers around the eyes that gives males a distinctly bespectacled look.
Overview
The spectacled duck, Speculanas specularis, is a Least Concern bird native to forest and wetland habitat across southern Chile and Argentina. Its unusual tree-cavity nesting habit, its distinctive spectacled facial pattern in males, and its close association with forested streams make it one of the more visually and behaviourally distinctive waterfowl species found anywhere in South America.
A duck that nests like a woodpecker
While most ducks build simple nests on the ground, the spectacled duck instead seeks out cavities within trees overlooking forest streams, a habit that ties its breeding success closely to the health of mature Patagonian forest.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread and generally stable across suitable forested stream and lake habitat in southern Chile and Argentina.
Spectacled Duck: common questions
Why is it called the spectacled duck?
Males of this species have a pale ring of feathers around the eyes that resembles a pair of spectacles, a feature that gives the species its common name.
Where does the spectacled duck nest?
This species nests in cavities within trees, an unusual habit among ducks, most of which nest on the ground or among dense vegetation near water.
What kind of habitat does the spectacled duck prefer?
This species is closely associated with forested streams and lakes, favouring habitat with mature trees close to the water's edge across southern Chile and Argentina.
Do spectacled ducks stay in pairs?
Yes, this species typically forms pairs that remain together, a bond that may persist across multiple breeding seasons.