Flying Steamer Duck

Identification

The flying steamer duck is the smallest of four steamer duck species, distinguished by distinctive plumage featuring a brown head and neck with white stripes running from the eyes to the napes. Their bodies display brown-gray gradient feathers, while their underbellies are predominantly white and their feet are bright orange. Both sexes possess cornified orange carpal knobs on their wings, which they use in displays and combat.

Sexual dimorphism is pronounced in this species. Males are heavier but have smaller heads and wingspans than females. Bills differ between sexes: females have smaller, orange bills with black tips, while males display darker gray bills with slight yellow accents. Their vocalizations are distinctive grunts; females produce lower-pitched calls in rapid succession, while males produce three different grunt types described as whistle-like, including rasping, ticking, and sibilant variants.

Range & Habitat

Flying steamer ducks inhabit the southern tip of South America, occurring in Chile, Argentina, Tierra del Fuego, and the Falkland Islands. Genetic evidence suggests Falkland Island populations diverged from continental populations between 2.2 and 2.6 million years ago, possibly via an ancient land bridge. Unlike their flightless relatives, flying steamer ducks are widely distributed across their range due to their flying capability.

This species is unique among steamer ducks in utilizing both freshwater and marine environments. They are found in diverse aquatic habitats throughout their range, demonstrating greater ecological flexibility than other steamer duck species, which are restricted to coastal or specialized environments.

Behaviour & Diet

Flying steamer ducks are highly social and territorial birds, spending much of their time in pairs and are thought to be mostly monogamous. Their mating ritual is highly ritualized: pairs begin by dipping their bills into water at increasingly rapid paces, followed by the female nearly submerging while being mounted by the male, after which both raise their bills high and grunt audibly. They forage almost exclusively in pairs, diving around deep-water kelp beds or shallow water zones to feed on mollusks, crustaceans, and other marine invertebrates.

These ducks are notoriously aggressive and territorial, often displaying unnecessary hostility toward other species. Males attack opponents by grabbing their necks and striking them with their carpal wing knobs. Flying steamer ducks have been observed attacking entire flocks of grebes and killing Red shovelers apparently without provocation, suggesting their aggression extends beyond resource competition.

Best Time & Places to See It

Flying steamer ducks can be encountered throughout Chile, Argentina, and the Falkland Islands in both freshwater and marine habitats. Their presence in inland freshwater systems—unique among steamer ducks—expands viewing opportunities beyond coastal areas. Look for them in pairs on lakes, rivers, and coastal waters across their South American range.

Photography Tips

The striking orange feet and distinctive head markings make flying steamer ducks visually compelling subjects. Photograph them in pairs to capture their characteristic behavior, and try to capture their ritualized diving and mating displays. The contrast between their brown plumage and white underparts photographs well in both overcast and bright conditions. Their aggressive territorial behavior provides opportunities to photograph combat sequences, though approach cautiously given their pugnacious nature.