Justification of Red List category
This species has a very large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size may be moderately small to large, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Trend justification
The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.
This species can be found on the Pacific coast of South America from south-central Chile to Tierra del Fuego (del Hoyo et al.1992).
The Magellanic Steamerduck frequents rocky coastlines and can be found several miles offshore. It dives in shallow waters among kelp beds, with a diet of aquatic molluscs, crustaceans and sometimes fish. Foraging occurs mostly during the high tide. Breeding starts in September or October on the shoreline in sheltered bays or channels with nests well hidden amongst vegetation (del Hoyo et al.1992).
The frequency of oil pollution incidents has increased within the species’s range, and the ecology of the species leaves it considerably exposed to the harmful effects of oil spills. Acute pollution incidents in the past have led to mortality in the species, while no assessment has been made of the impact of chronic pollution.
Text account compilers
Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Calvert, R., Fjagesund, T., Hermes, C., Martin, R., Stuart, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Magellanic Steamerduck Tachyeres pteneres. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/magellanic-steamerduck-tachyeres-pteneres on 14/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 14/12/2024.