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Ducks, Geese, Swans

Anatidae, the family of water birds that includes ducks, geese, and swans, is found globally except for Antarctica and comprises about 174 species in 43 genera. These birds are adapted to an aquatic lifestyle, most having webbed feet, and are equipped for swimming, floating, and sometimes diving. They range greatly in size, from the tiny cotton pygmy goose to the large trumpeter swan, have strong wing muscles for flight, and mostly possess flattened, serrated bills for filter feeding, although some are piscivorous like the mergansers. Anatids often showcase differences between males and females in coloration, and they are vocal with a range of sounds. While they are largely herbivorous, feeding on water plants, their diet can diversify to include fish, molluscs, or aquatic arthropods. These birds are seasonal, monogamous breeders, with some species forming lifelong pairs. They lay simple nests lined with down, and the precocial young are self-sufficient immediately after hatching. Certain species have been domesticated for their feathers, meat, and other uses, yet at least five species have gone extinct since 1600 due to human impacts, with others currently threatened. Duck species have also been important cultural icons and economic assets for humans. The classification of Anatidae is complex, with relationships between groups not completely resolved and subject to change as new genetic studies provide further insights. Fossil records indicate that Anatidae are an ancient group with a lineage that stretches back to the time of dinosaurs.

Regions

A photo of a Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina) , male

Red-crested Pochard

Netta rufina
A photo of a Redhead (Aythya americana) , male

Redhead

Aythya americana
A photo of a Ringed Teal (Callonetta leucophrys) , male

Ringed Teal

Callonetta leucophrys
A photo of a Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) , male

Ring-necked Duck

Aythya collaris
A photo of a Ross's Goose (Anser rossii)

Ross's Goose

Anser rossii
A photo of a Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) , male

Ruddy Duck

Oxyura jamaicensis
A photo of a Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) , male

Ruddy Shelduck

Tadorna ferruginea
A photo of a Scaup (Aythya marila) , male

Scaup

Aythya marila
A photo of a Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) , male

Shelduck

Tadorna tadorna
A photo of a Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) , male

Shoveler

Spatula clypeata
A photo of a Smew (Mergellus albellus) , male

Smew

Mergellus albellus
A photo of a Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens)

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens
A photo of a Spectacled Eider (Somateria fischeri) , male

Spectacled Eider

Somateria fischeri

Stejneger's Scoter

Melanitta stejnegeri
A photo of a Steller's Eider (Polysticta stelleri) , male

Steller's Eider

Polysticta stelleri
A photo of a Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) , male

Surf Scoter

Melanitta perspicillata
A photo of a Swan Goose (Anser cygnoides)

Swan Goose

Anser cygnoides
A photo of a Taiga Bean Goose (Anser fabalis)

Taiga Bean Goose

Anser fabalis
A photo of a Teal (Anas crecca) , male

Teal

Anas crecca
A photo of a Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula) , male

Tufted Duck

Aythya fuligula
A photo of a Tundra Bean Goose (Anser serrirostris)

Tundra Bean Goose

Anser serrirostris
A photo of a Velvet Scoter (Melanitta fusca) , male

Velvet Scoter

Melanitta fusca
A photo of a White-cheeked Pintail (Anas bahamensis)

White-cheeked Pintail

Anas bahamensis
A photo of a White-faced Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna viduata)

White-faced Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna viduata
A photo of a White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons)

White-fronted Goose

Anser albifrons
A photo of a White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala) , male

White-headed Duck

Oxyura leucocephala
A photo of a White-winged Scoter (Melanitta deglandi) , male

White-winged Scoter

Melanitta deglandi
A photo of a Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

Whooper Swan

Cygnus cygnus
A photo of a Wigeon (Mareca penelope) , male

Wigeon

Mareca penelope
A photo of a Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) , male

Wood Duck

Aix sponsa
A photo of a Yellow-billed Teal (Anas flavirostris)

Yellow-billed Teal

Anas flavirostris
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