The Black-headed Duck (Heteronetta atricapilla) in Chile, its distribution and hosts, with a new host for Chile

Abstract

In the present paper I review the distribution, post breeding movements, breeding phenology and the hosts species for Chile of the only obligated parasitic duck, the Black-headed Duck (Heteronetta atricapilla). In Chile is not a common species and it seems that during the breeding season has a restricted distribution mainly around central Chile. During the post breeding season, it has not a clear pattern but have been detected movements both north and south from central Chile. In Argentina has 26 host species and with present information in Chile only five host species but potentially there are another 12 host species. It might be that there is an overabundance of coots (Fulica sp.) nests and might not require other hosts species. I include a new host species for the country the White-backed Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) and updated the general list of hosts for the species.