Ecuador River Dolphins and Torrent Ducks

Presentation on the Pink River Dolphin, Gray Dolphin, and Torrent Duck - all found in Ecuador.

1. River Dolphins
Gray Dolphin / Tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis)

-Too-coo-she
-Smaller (up to 5 ft), darker, triangular
dorsal fin
-Possibly more fun to see: groups of
2-9, show more of their head when
surface, often leap out of the water
-Found in deeper water - river pilots
observe for navigational aids
-Both at risk of extinction (EN)
Pink River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis)

-Pronounced Boto (portuguese) and
Bufeo or Tonina (spanish)
-Hunt aquatic animals (fish, turtles,
crabs) among the muddy waters of
the Amazon and Orinoco Basins -
endemic to South America.
-Largest of river dolphins (6.5-8.2 ft)
and pink!
-Usually in small groups of 2-4 at
mouth of tributary or stream.
-Forage among flooded forests -
flexible neck (unlike most dolphins)
and effective sonar (to navigate
dense trunks)
-In mythology - lifelong nightmares if
make eye contact

2. Torrent Duck (Merganetta armata)
-Habitat of choice: fast-flowing, turbulent Andean rivers
-Male: white head with black stripes
-Female: rich brown
-Both bright red bill
-Feed on insect larvae (specifically caddis flies)
-6 subspecies - geographic barriers, distinct evolutionary lineages
-Rapid rivers - swimming submerged with only heads above water
-Don’t like flying more than short distances
-Large range but not numerous - each pair occups own stretch or river
-Swimming Video
The Nuclear Family (duck version) →