Torrent ducks (merganetta armata) diving and feeding in hot springs

Abstract

Opportunistic behavior in birds can enhance the ability of a species to expand their distribution. Currently, there is no documentation of any bird diving and feeding in hot springs with temperatures greater than 30°C. A pair of Torrent Ducks (Merganetta armata) feeding in a hot spring with temperatures between 36-50°C is described. The diet and food availability in this hot spring was studied in a Torrent Duck territory. While the sector of stream with hot waters represents only 13% of the territory of the Torrent Duck pair, prey collected there represented 30% of their diet. This is an extreme example of how this highly specialized species can also use a wide variety of environments.