Bronze-wing (Spectacled) Duck  (Anas specularis)

• Due to its brilliant metallic speculum is also known as the Bronze-winged Duck
• Females have a dog-like bark, hence are known by the local name of Dog-duck
• Not commonly propagated except at Sylvan Heights

                                                                Bronze-winged (Spectacled) Duck

                                                                            Anas specularis

Habitat: The Bronze-winged (Spectacled) Duck resides in the southern third, forested regions of South America.  While the population size is not known, their numbers seem failry stable.   They are relatively rare and not widespread.  The Bronze-wing has been bread more recently in recent years. 

Miscellaneous: These ducks have very distince personalities and become very tame in captivity.  They seem fearless in the wild and allow humans to approach quite close.  When the Bronze-winged Duck flys, it follows the course of a river and very rarely flyes over land.  As pairs, their bond is much strongr than typical dabblers and males can be involved in rearing young. During breeding season, they can become very aggressive and can kill much larger birds.