WATERFOWL of Africa
The order Anseriformes contains about 150 living species of birds in three families: the Anhimidae (the screamers), Anseranatidae (the Magpie Goose), and the Anatidae, which includes over 140 species of waterfowl, among them the ducks, geese, and swans. All species in the order are web-footed for efficient swimming and have a large wide bill with a specialized tongue that allows water to be sucked in the front of the bill. An array of plates traps food particles as the water is expelled out the sides of the bill. Not all species feed this way, some graze on plants and some also catch fish. [abstracted from Wikipedia]
Sheldgeese and Shelducks
Order Anseriformes Family Anatidae SubFamily Tadorninae
Tadorninae is the shelduck-sheldgoose subfamily of family Anatidae. This group is largely tropical or Southern Hemisphere in distribution, with only two species, the Common Shelduck and the Ruddy Shelduck breeding in northern temperate regions. The Tadorninae are somewhat intermediate between geese and dabbling ducks.
Shelgeese
Genus Alopochen - 1 species
Goose, Egyptian Alopochen aegyptiacus Found:North America (escaped captive), Europe (introduced), Africa
Photographed by: 1, 2) Dick Daniels - Tanzania 3) Dick - Sylvan Heights
4, 5) Dick - Johaneesburg, South Africa 6) Sandy Cole St.Lucia,South Africa
Shelducks
Genus Tadorana
Shhelduck, Cape aka South African Shelduck Tadorna cana Found: southern Africa
The female Cape Shelduck may be confused with the White-faced Whistling Duck.
5) Dick - Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo 6) Sandy Cole - San Diego Zoo
1, 2) Male 3 - 6) Female
Genus Cyanochen - 1 species
It is unresolved whether or not the Blue-winged Goose is a shelgoose. It might belong to a very distinct and ancient "duck" clade, together with Hartlaub's Duck.
Goose, Blue-winged Cyanochen cyanoptera Found: Endemic to Ethiopia
Photographed: 1, 4) Dick Daniels - Sylvan Heights 2, 3) Dick - Sylvan Heights
The only member of the Genus Cyanochen and is in the shelduck subfamily Tadorninae
All photos on this site are available for general use. Please credit the photographer. Some images have additional constraints such as no commercial use or no modifications. Click the photo credit link for details. Dick Daniels, webmaster.