A beautiful bird of high elevations in the Andes, from southern Colombia to Ecuador and south into Chile & Argentina. Not known to breed in Colombia, it is found high in the Andes (2500 – 4000m) in grassy pastures and open lands surrounding lakes and ponds.

This photo of a solitary bird was taken in the Central Andes (Risaralda) at Laguna del Otún (4000m – Los Nevados National Park). Can be seen casually in the Eastern Andes (Sabana de Bogotá).