Ducks, Geese and Swans Anatidae
There are currently 49 genera recognized within the family, of which 20 are so far listed below.
There is some disagreement concerning exactly how many species are contained within the Anatidae family. Conservative estimates put the number at
147. Due to recent taxonomic splits, with undoubtedly more to follow, there may be as many as 164 species. Some authorities suggest
the Magpie Goose should be placed in its own family, Anseranatidae.
Unfortunately, many species are faced with extinction.
The Mauritius Shelduck Alopochen mauritianus, Reunion Shelduck Mascarenachen kervazoi, Amsterdam Duck Anas marecula,
Mauritius Duck Anas theodori, Labrador Duck Camptorhynchus labradorius, and the Auckland Islands Merganser
Mergus australis, have all become extinct within
the past several centuries. In addition, six species are considered critically endangered nine are endangered,
twelve are vulnerable, and another eight species are near-threatened.
The reasons for so many waterfowl facing extinction are many, but draining of valuable wetlands, and illegal-hunting are two of the main causes.
Dendrocygna
Also known as Tree Ducks, there are 8 species within the genus.
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis at Estero Llanos Grande State Park, Hidalgo County, Texas, April 2010.
Fulvous Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna bicolor at a park in Scottsdale, Arizona, December 2005.
Cygnus
The genus is comprised of 6 species.
Adult male Mute Swan Cygnus olor (left) and immature Mute Swan-immature Cygnus olor at the Colwick Country Park, near
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, October 2010.
Bewick's Swan Cygnus bewickii at the Welney Wetland Center, Norfolk, England, November 2010.
Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus near Los Padillas, New Mexico, December 2007.
Adult Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus (left) and immature Whooper Swan at the Welney Wetland Center, Norfolk, England, November 2010.
Anser
7 species are recognized within this genus.
During the summer Greater White-fronted Geese Anser albifrons breed on the Arctic tundra and taiga.
They migrate south for the winter to western North America, Europe, and Asia. They are named for the distinct white band at the base of their bills.
The similar looking Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus is restricted to the Old World and is listed as vulnerable.
This individual spent an entire winter at a park in Fountain Hills, near Phoenix, Arizona, October 2004.
Chen
3 species are in this genus, with the Emperor Goose Chen canagicus sometimes being placed in it's own monospecific genus Philacte.
The Ross' Goose Chen rossii is very similar to the more numerous Snow Goose. They are frequently observed together, thus enabling good size comparisons.
One of the best diagnostic field marks for separating the two is that the Ross' Goose lacks the blackish "grin patch" on the larger bill of the Snow Goose.
Both species have an uncommon blue morph phase. These birds were photographed at Avondale, near Phoenix, Arizona, January 2001.
Branta
The genus is currently comprised of 6 species, with the potential for Brent Goose Branta bernicla to be split into three seperate species.
The four smallest forms of the Canada Goose Branta canadensis were recently split and are now known as the Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii.
Seperating the two species can be problematic. Generally, the Cackling Goose is much smaller, some as small as a Mallard. They have a smaller triangular bill.
Also, some races are dark breasted. Birds which cannot be positively identified may best be called "Canackling Geese".
This photograph taken at Burrell Park, Springfield, Missouri, December 2005, shows the huge size difference between the two species.
Chloephaga
The 5 species within the genus are all restricted to South America.
The pure white male Kelp Geese Chloephaga hybrida has a totally different plumage from the much darker female. Their name comes from feeding
on kelp, which grows between tidal rocks. This pair was photographed along the River Murrell, near Stanley, Falkland Islands, February 1985.
Alopochen
This is the only member of the genus.
The Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus was introduced to Britain three centuries ago, although it was only formally added to the British List in 1971.
Disbursement is limited with the majority of the birds being restricted to Norfolk. Its native range is Africa south of the Sahara, and the Nile Valley. This individual
was photographed at the Attenborough nature reserve, near Nottingham, England, April 2005.
Tadorna
There are 7 species in this genus.
The Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna is a somewhat goose-like duck. It is a fairly common breeder in north-western and southwestern Europe,
across to central Asia. Photographed at the Attenborough nature reserve, near Nottingham, England, June 2009.
Tachyeres
The 4 species in the genus are all locally restricted to southern South America.
The essentially flightless Falkland Steamerduck Tachyeres brachypterus is endemic to the Falkland Islands. They are widespread and very
common along the rocky shorelines, small islands, and sheltered bays. This pair with the slightly larger male having a orange bill, were photographed along
the River Murrell, near Stanley, Falkland Islands, February 1985.
Cairina
There are 2 species in this genus.
Although a common and tame domestic duck, the wild Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata is a shy bird found mainly from Mexico to South America.
A few individuals are occasionally sighted in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. This adult male was photographed at Cocha Blanco, Manu Wildlife
Center, Madre de Dios, Peru, November 2003.
Aix
There are 2 species in this genus.
A female Wood Duck at Santee Lakes, San Diego County, California, May 2010.
A male Wood Duck Aix sponsa at Katherine Landing, near Bullhead City, Arizona, December 2002.
Anas
Comprising of 42 species, Anas is by far the largest genus within the family.
A female Gadwall Anas strepera (left) and a male at the Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, Pima County, Arizona, February 2010.
A male Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera (left) and a female at the Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, Pima County, Arizona, February 2010.
A female Blue-winged Teal Anas cyanoptera (left) and a male at the Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, Pima County, Arizona, February 2010.
A male Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata (left) and a female at the Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, Pima County, Arizona, February 2010.
A male Eurasian Wigeon Anas americana (left) at the Caerlaverock Wetland Centre, Dumfrieshire, Scotland, November 2010.
A female Eurasian Wigeon Anas americana at Cley Marshes, Norfolk, England, October 2010.
A female American Wigeon Anas americana at the Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, Pima County, Arizona, February 2010.
A male American Wigeon Anas americana at a park in Tucson, Pima County, Arizona, December 2001.
A pair of Mottled Ducks Anas fulvigula, along with a couple of Red-eared Sliders at the Hornsby Bend Wastewater Treatment Plant, near Austin, Texas, May 2009.
A female Eurasian Teal Anas crecca (left) and a male at Titchwell nature resrve, Norfolk, England, October 2010.
Aythya
This genus is the second largest in the family with 12 species.
A male Common Pochard Aythya ferina at King's Mill Reservoir, near Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England, July 2009.
A male Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula was at a park in Ilkeston, Nottinghamshire, England, May 2005.
A female Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris (left) and a male at the Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, Pima County, Arizona, February 2010.
Somateria
There are 3 members of this genus.
This female Common Eider Somateria mollissima was at Holy Island, Northumberland, England, June 2009.
Clangula
This is the only member of the genus.
The Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis is an abundant Arctic species of both the Old and New Worlds. The male is the only duck species to
have two distinct bright plumages, one in summer and one in winter. This species was formerly called "Oldsquaw" in the New World.
This adult female in winter plumage visited a pond in Tucson, Arizona, December 2006, where it is considered an extremely rare winter visitor.
Melanitta
The 3 species of scoters may soon be split into 5.
Formerly known as Velvet Scoter in the Old World, the White-winged Scoter Melanitta fusca is one of two Melanitta that are being
considered by some authorities to be split into two species. If the New World "deglandi" race were to be raised to a full species, then it would
be named American White-winged
Scoter. I photographed this "deglandi" individual at a city park in Tempe, Arizona, April 1996, where it is considered an extremely
rare winter visitor.
Bucephala
There are 3 species within this genus.
A female Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula (left) and a male at the Bill William's National Wildlife Refufe, near Parker, Arizona, February 2010.
The Barrow's Goldeneye Bucephala islandica can be separated from the much more numerous and widespread Common Goldeneye
by their crescent, not rounded, cheek patches.
This adult male was a "rarity" at Avondale, near Phoenix, Arizona, January 2006.
A male Bufflehead Bucephala albeola at the Imperial National Wildlife Refufe, near Yuma, Arizona, March 2007.
A female Bufflehead Bucephala albeola at the Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, Pima County, Arizona, February 2010.
Lophodytes
This is the only member of the genus and is sometimes lumped with the Mergus.
The Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus is restricted to North America, although vagrants have shown up in northwest Europe, especially
Britain. This immature male spent two consecutive winters at a pond in Phoenix, Arizona, January 2003.
Mergus
There are 4 species in the genus.
The Common Merganser Mergus merganser is known in the Old World as Goosander. They are found across the Nearctic and Palearctic.
This wintering female was at Patagonia Lake State Park, Arizona, March 2005.
Oxyura
There are 5 species within this genus.
A female Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis (left) and a breeding plumaged male Ruddy Duck
at the Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, Pima County, Arizona, February 2010.
Last updated 12 January 2011.
NON-PASSERINES