Size: Length; 40-46cm. Weight; 550-675g.

Age: Around 15 years in captivity.

Habitat and distribution: Lowland lakes and marshes in South America through Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and southern Brazil.

Groups and breeding:  Usually found in small groups but may form flocks of up to 400 individuals before breeding. Nests are built close to the waterside on a weak platform made up of vegetation. These birds are promiscuous with little pair bonding and the female is often reluctant to mate. Three – eight eggs are laid which hatch after approximately 24 days with young fledging at around 60 days.

Diet: Seeds, plant remains, small invertebrates.

• The drake of this species has the dubious distinction of having the longest penis in relation to its body length of all vertebrates. Usually measuring between half and the full length (up to 50cm) of its body the penis is spiny with a bristle tip so as to remove the previous male’s sperm! When not in use, the corkscrew organ retracts into the duck’s abdomen.
• One of the 147 species of the Anatidae family, being ducks, geese and swans, more commonly known as wildfowl or waterfowl.
• Waterfowl bodies are adapted for a highly aquatic life, with webbed feet for swimming and a body shaped to improve buoyancy in the water and a thick covering of feathers for insulation. Different species specialise to fill different niches.  
• All species have an oil-gland which is used whilst preening to maintain waterproofing of their feathers; the oil-gland is highly developed in this family.
• All species have salt glands above each eye, which filter the blood and excrete excess salt.
• Wildfowl have had a long association with humans; the Mallard is the direct ancestor of almost all current breeds of domestic duck. Humans utilise this family for meat, eggs and feathers and in some countries ducks are even kept around houses to control insect numbers.