Swan, goose, duck
Ducks, geese, and swans are well-known members of the Anatidae family within the order Anseriformes, comprising more than 150 species collectively referred to as waterfowl. These birds inhabit a wide range of environments across every continent except Antarctica, including wetlands, lakes, and coastal areas, which are essential for their feeding, nesting, and migratory behaviors. They are characterized by their broad bodies, medium to long flexible necks, short legs with webbed feet, and specialized bills that aid in foraging for aquatic vegetation and small animals.
Waterfowl exhibit a variety of plumage colors and patterns, with males often displaying more vibrant hues than females. Social creatures, they typically live in flocks that can vary greatly in size, forming family units and breeding pairs within these groups. Most species breed annually, with swans and geese often forming lifelong pair bonds, while ducks typically mate for a single season. The young, known as ducklings, goslings, and cygnets, are cared for by their mothers and are guided to water shortly after hatching.
Their diets are diverse, consisting of plant matter, insects, and small aquatic animals, and they play significant ecological roles in their habitats. While some waterfowl can live up to 20 years, human activities, including hunting and habitat destruction, can significantly impact their lifespans and populations.
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Swan, goose, duck
Among the most well-known members of the order of birds are the ducks, geese, and swans. They have appeared in countless cartoons, comic strips, stories, movies, and photos, as well as being in the logos of many businesses and corporations.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Various (see below)
Species: Various (see below)
More than 150 ducks, geese, and swans, called waterfowl, are members of the Anatidae family. These birds live on every continent except Antarctica. Nearly every sea, ocean coast, estuary, shallow sea, lake, pond, swamp, and freshwater wetland may be home to geese, swans, and ducks. These habitats are vital for eating, nesting, breeding, and migrating. Common sounds near the waterways where waterfowl live are cackles, quacks, hisses, honks, and whistles.
Waterfowl have broad bodies which are flat on the undersides. Their necks are medium-length to long and usually very flexible. Waterfowl's legs are often short and feet are webbed. Most have broad, flattened bills with hooks on the ends. Spiny teeth on their tongues help grasp food in their strong bills, and special membranes along the sides of their bills strain food from the water. The smallest members are ducks, measuring one foot (30 centimeters) long or longer. They weigh at least eight ounces (250 grams). The geese are between the ducks and swans in size. Swans may be up to five feet (150 centimeters) tall and weigh up to 35 pounds (15 kilograms). The colors and patterns of waterfowl plumage, or feathers, are as varied as the number of species. Most have some white areas on their bodies combined with black. Other species are all white or black. Shades of gray, brown, and chestnut red are also common. Green and purple are familiar wing and head colors. Males usually have brighter or more colorful plumage than females, but in some species, males and females are identical or quite close in color and pattern.
The waterfowl are relatively slow and clumsy on land, but most species fly and swim very well. Some also dive well and use their wings to swim underwater. Because the geese and sheld geese walk the most easily on land of all the waterfowl, they are the most territorial, particularly when feeding. Almost all waterfowl are social creatures, and many live in colonies. Some flocks may be as small as 30, but others reach 100,000 or more. In their flocks, swans and geese form family units of breeding pairs and immature, non-breeding birds. Pairs of ducks often form flocks, such as the dabbling and diving ducks. A single duck, goose, or swan is usually a straggler separated from a larger flock.
Most waterfowl breed each year, but those in the Southern Hemisphere often breed only once every other year. Swans and geese usually mate for life, but most ducks mate only for the season. The female duck raises her young by herself. The eggs of waterfowl usually number between 4 and 14. Most are white, cream, pale green, or blue, and they are unmarked. Only female ducks, geese, and swans incubate their eggs. They sit on the eggs to keep them warm so they will hatch after 18 to 39 days. Young waterfowl each have specific namesaby ducks are ducklings, baby geese are goslings, and baby swans are cygnets. Male geese and swans help their mates care for the young. Young waterfowl leave the nest early and follow their parents as they learn to swim and find food. They stay on the ground or in the water until they fledge, or fly for the first time. They are then called fledglings. Some species fly three weeks after hatching. Other species fly after 3 1/2 to 4 months. Young waterfowl are mature when they are one to four years old. Waterfowl may live as long as 20 years if they have enough food and humans do not destroy their habitats with development or pollution. Humans hunting ducks and geese for meat and feathers shortens the average lifespan of waterfowl to 4 to 10 years.
Waterfowl may graze or dig on land for leaves, stems, roots, seeds, grass, and various crops. They also find vegetation and plant matter in the water or on the water's surface. Fish, mollusks, and crustacea also form part of the birds' diets. They catch prey underwater or dig it from the mud on the bottom. The bills of waterfowl also seize insects and larvae.
Species include:
Blue duck Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos
Black swan Cygnus atratus
Emperor goose Anser canagicus
Red-breasted goose Branta ruficollis
White-faced whistling duck Dendrocygna viduata
Whooper swan Cygnus cygnus
Bibliography
"Anatidae - Ducks, Geese and Swans." British Trust for Ornithology, www.bto.org/understanding-birds/bird-orders-and-families-world/anatidae-ducks-geese-and-swans. Accessed 15 May 2024.
Habib, Raeesah. "Identifying Waterfowl: The Differences Between Ducks, Geese, and Swans." Avibirds, 20 Oct. 2021, avibirds.com/ducks-vs-geese-vs-swans-differences. Accessed 15 May 2024.
Howard, Laura. "Anatidae." Animal Diversity Web, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Anatidae. Accessed 15 May 2024.