Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...

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

Categories

A photo of a American Wigeon (Mareca americana) , male

American Wigeon

Mareca americana

Auckland Teal

Anas aucklandica
A photo of a Australasian Shoveler (Spatula rhynchotis) , male

Australasian Shoveler

Spatula rhynchotis
A photo of a Australian Shelduck (Tadorna tadornoides) , male

Australian Shelduck

Tadorna tadornoides
A photo of a Bewick's Swan (Cygnus columbianus)

Bewick's Swan

Cygnus columbianus
A photo of a Black Scoter (Melanitta americana) , male

Black Scoter

Melanitta americana
A photo of a Black Swan (Cygnus atratus)

Black Swan

Cygnus atratus

Blue Duck

Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos
A photo of a Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors) , male

Blue-winged Teal

Spatula discors
A photo of a Brent Goose (Branta bernicla)

Brent Goose

Branta bernicla

Brown Teal

Anas chlorotis
A photo of a Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) , male

Bufflehead

Bucephala albeola
A photo of a Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii)

Cackling Goose

Branta hutchinsii

Campbell Teal

Anas nesiotis
A photo of a Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

Canada Goose

Branta canadensis
A photo of a Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) , male

Canvasback

Aythya valisineria
A photo of a Cape Barren Goose (Cereopsis novaehollandiae)

Cape Barren Goose

Cereopsis novaehollandiae
A photo of a Chestnut Teal (Anas castanea) , male

Chestnut Teal

Anas castanea
A photo of a Cinnamon Teal (Spatula cyanoptera) , male

Cinnamon Teal

Spatula cyanoptera
A photo of a Eastern Spot-billed Duck (Anas zonorhyncha)

Eastern Spot-billed Duck

Anas zonorhyncha
A photo of a Emperor Goose (Anser canagicus)

Emperor Goose

Anser canagicus
A photo of a Falcated Duck (Mareca falcata) , male

Falcated Duck

Mareca falcata
A photo of a Fulvous Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor)

Fulvous Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna bicolor
A photo of a Gadwall (Mareca strepera) , male

Gadwall

Mareca strepera
A photo of a Garganey (Spatula querquedula) , male

Garganey

Spatula querquedula
A photo of a Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) , male

Goldeneye

Bucephala clangula
A photo of a Greylag Goose (Anser anser)

Greylag Goose

Anser anser
A photo of a Grey Teal (Anas gracilis)

Grey Teal

Anas gracilis
A photo of a Hardhead (Aythya australis) , male

Hardhead

Aythya australis
A photo of a Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) , male

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus
A photo of a Hawaiian Duck (Anas wyvilliana) , male

Hawaiian Duck

Anas wyvilliana
A photo of a Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) , male

Hooded Merganser

Lophodytes cucullatus
A photo of a Laysan Duck (Anas laysanensis) , female

Laysan Duck

Anas laysanensis
A photo of a Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) , male

Lesser Scaup

Aythya affinis
A photo of a Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) , male

Long-tailed Duck

Clangula hyemalis
A photo of a Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) , male

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos
A photo of a Maned Duck (Chenonetta jubata) , male

Maned Duck

Chenonetta jubata
A photo of a Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Mute Swan

Cygnus olor
A photo of a Nene (Branta sandvicensis)

Nene

Branta sandvicensis
A photo of a New Zealand Scaup (Aythya novaeseelandiae) , male

New Zealand Scaup

Aythya novaeseelandiae
A photo of a Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa)

Pacific Black Duck

Anas superciliosa
A photo of a Paradise Shelduck (Tadorna variegata) , male

Paradise Shelduck

Tadorna variegata
A photo of a Pink-eared Duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus)

Pink-eared Duck

Malacorhynchus membranaceus
A photo of a Pintail (Anas acuta) , male

Pintail

Anas acuta
A photo of a Plumed Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna eytoni)

Plumed Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna eytoni
A photo of a Pochard (Aythya ferina) , male

Pochard

Aythya ferina
A photo of a Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) , male

Red-breasted Merganser

Mergus serrator
A photo of a Redhead (Aythya americana) , male

Redhead

Aythya americana
App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.
1
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Species Categories

AccentorsAlbatrossesAnhingas, DartersAuksAustral Storm PetrelsAustralasian RobinsAustralasian WarblersBarn OwlsBee-eatersBulbulsBuntingsButtonquailCaracaras, FalconsCardinals & AlliesCettia Bush Warblers & AlliesChats, Old World FlycatchersCockatoosCormorants, ShagsCoursers, PratincolesCrows, JaysCuckoosCuckooshrikesDrongosDucks, Geese, SwansFantailsFinches, EuphoniasFlowerpeckersFrigatebirdsFrogmouthsGannets, BoobiesGrassbirds & AlliesGrebesGuineafowlGulls, Terns, SkimmersHerons, BitternsHoneyeatersHoopoesHornbillsIbises, SpoonbillsJacanasKaguKingfishersKites, Hawks, EaglesKiwisLarksLaughingthrushes & AlliesLeaf Warblers & AlliesLongspurs, Snow BuntingsLoonsMegapodesMockingbirds, ThrashersMonarchsNew World QuailNew World SparrowsNew World WarblersNew Zealand ParrotsNew Zealand WattlebirdsNew Zealand WrensNightjarsNorthern Storm PetrelsOld World ParrotsOld World Sparrows, SnowfinchesOropendolas, Orioles, BlackbirdsOspreysOwlet-nightjarsOwlsOystercatchersPainted-snipesPelicansPenguinsPetrels, Shearwaters, Diving PetrelsPheasants & AlliesPigeons, DovesPittasPloversRails, Crakes & CootsReed Warblers & AlliesRollersSandgrouseSandpipers, SnipesShrikesSkuasStarlings, RhabdornisStilts, AvocetsStitchbirdStone-curlews, Thick-kneesSunbirdsSwallows, MartinsSwiftsTanagers & AlliesThrushesTreeswiftsTropicbirdsTyrant Flycatchers, CalypturaVireos, Greenlets, Shrike-babblersWagtails, PipitsWaxbills, Munias & AlliesWhistlers & AlliesWhite-eyesWhiteheadsWoodswallows, Butcherbirds & Allies

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Stewart W
Fantastic to be involved
Fantastic to be involved, great for mental health and gets you responding with the Challenges that are to takd part in.
Carl B
Helped me to identify more birds
Love this app and has helped me to identify more birds. The challenges and badges are great for keeping the motivation going to get out and keep birding.
David C
Very knowledgeable group
Nice friendly birding community. Very knowledgeable group with a willingness to help.
Bryan C
Clean and easy to use
Really enjoying this app, it's clean and easy to use. I love the ease of being able to add those one-off birds without starting a whole checklist. I also like the social aspect, like the parts of my Facebook I like, without the ads and junk, just birds. Can't wait to see it become more populated.
EandB17
Terrific App for Birders
Downloaded Birda around the time my interest in birding was sparked, and it has been a terrific app to help me (1) share my experience, (2) document my sightings, and (3) learn more about birds in general. That said, I also believe Birda is a fantastic app for birders of all experience levels. Great community!
Hip An
Fantastic
Really enjoying Birda where I live i have a lot of Red kites really hard to photograph but I can video are you planning some place on the app where us Birda can post vids🦉🦅
Mike T
Sense of Community
A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
Carrie
Makes you want to spot birds more
I think this app is fun. It makes you want to spot birds more so I guess in a way it encourages you to get out and about instead of sitting in front of the TV.
Emma L
App got me interested in birding!
Super friendly community <3 This app got me interested in birding! It teaches me cool stuff and its super friendly, and fun :) The species guide is really developing my knowledge, and i love seeing cool new birds from round the world!
Nedz53
Really useful
Downloaded to give it a try, everything worked perfectly, recorded my first bird watching walk. Very impressed. Have already recommended to friends!
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.