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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.

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A photo of a African Black Duck (Anas sparsa)

African Black Duck

Anas sparsa
A photo of a African Pygmy Goose (Nettapus auritus) , male

African Pygmy Goose

Nettapus auritus
A photo of a Blue-billed Teal (Spatula hottentota)

Blue-billed Teal

Spatula hottentota
A photo of a Cape Shoveler (Spatula smithii) , male

Cape Shoveler

Spatula smithii
A photo of a Cape Teal (Anas capensis)

Cape Teal

Anas capensis
A photo of a Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca)

Egyptian Goose

Alopochen aegyptiaca
A photo of a Fulvous Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor)

Fulvous Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna bicolor
A photo of a Garganey (Spatula querquedula) , male

Garganey

Spatula querquedula
A photo of a Knob-billed Duck (Sarkidiornis melanotos) , male

Knob-billed Duck

Sarkidiornis melanotos

Maccoa Duck

Oxyura maccoa
A photo of a Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) , male

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos
A photo of a Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Mute Swan

Cygnus olor
A photo of a Pintail (Anas acuta) , male

Pintail

Anas acuta
A photo of a Red-billed Teal (Anas erythrorhyncha)

Red-billed Teal

Anas erythrorhyncha
A photo of a Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) , male

Shoveler

Spatula clypeata
A photo of a South African Shelduck (Tadorna cana) , male

South African Shelduck

Tadorna cana
A photo of a Southern Pochard (Netta erythrophthalma) , male

Southern Pochard

Netta erythrophthalma
A photo of a Spur-winged Goose (Plectropterus gambensis)

Spur-winged Goose

Plectropterus gambensis
A photo of a White-backed Duck (Thalassornis leuconotus)

White-backed Duck

Thalassornis leuconotus
A photo of a White-faced Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna viduata)

White-faced Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna viduata
A photo of a Yellow-billed Duck (Anas undulata)

Yellow-billed Duck

Anas undulata
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