Animal Sciences Commons^™

Torrent Ducks Of The Andes, Paul A. Johnsgard

Paul Johnsgard Collection

Throughout the world there is probably no more rigorous environment for waterfowl than that provided by the Andean streams in South America. Rushing down the mountains from an altitude of 18,000 feet or more, tumbling over precipices, the streams eventually merge and grow into such giants as the Orinoco, Amazon, and Rio de la Plata on the Atlantic slope, or empty direct into the Pacific on the west side. In the intermediate elevations, mainly between 5,000 and 10,000 feet, a remarkable duck, fittingly called the torrent duck (Merganetta armata) makes its home among the rapids and cataracts. This …