adult Falkland steamer duck does not have many predators. Predation by sea lions and seals is rare but has been documented. The main predation pressure is on fledglings which are routinely picked up by kelp gulls and skuas. Egg harvesting used to be common in the island but humans have abandoned the practice since. Conservation status The species is currently classified as Least Concern. During the last surveys between 1983 and 1993, between 9000 and 16000 breeding pairs were recorded and they estimated the population to be between 27 000 and 48 000 individuals. Another survey from 1997 estimated the population at 32 000 individuals. A recent study has shed some light on the negative effect of invasive species on shore bird populations in the Falklands. Scientists determined that rat-invested islands had lower numbers of many shorebirds including steamer ducks. Another possible source of concern comes from oil spills. The species has a limited distribution and its food supply could be severely affected by a large-scale release of oil in and around the Falklands. Although these anticipated threats should be considered, the population is currently stable and there is no immediate source of concern for this species. External links https://ebird.org/species/falstd1 eBird Falkland steamer duck https://falklandsconservation.com/falklands-steamer-duck/ Falklands Conservation https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/falstd1/cur/introduction Cornell Lab of Ornithology References Tachyeres Flightless birds Birds of the Falkland Islands Birds described in 1790 Taxa named by John Latham (ornithologist)