WATERFOWL of Europe

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]



Dabbling Ducks

Order Anseriformes    Family Anatidae  

Dabbling Ducks belong to genus Anas as is also true for teals. Teals have been given their own web page as an arbitrary way to split the presentation of this large genus. Dabbling ducks do not totally submerge when feeding and are often seen with just their rears showing as the search for food. Because of their feeding method, Dabbling Ducks have evolved to be more buoyant than diving ducks. Most birders identify this type of duck as a "Dabbling Duck", but I personlly think "Dipping Duck" is more descriptive.


Genus Anas

Duck, Falcated  Anas falcata    Found: Europe, Asia
Photographed by; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) Dick Daniels - Sylvan Heights
1, 2, 3) Male  4) Female on top, bottom possibly a non breeding male  5, 6) Female



Gadwall Anas strepera   Found: North America, Central America, Europe
Photographed by:  1) Dick Daniels - Wyoming   2, 3) Dick Daniels - Sylvan Heights   4) Charlie Westerinen - Strawberry Reservoir in Utah
1) This female may be a mallard - gadwall cross.  


Pintail, Northern Anas acuta Found: North America, Europe, Asia, Africa
Photographed by:   1) Dick Daniels - the North Carolina Zoo  2, 3, 4, 5) - Sylvan Heights  
    8) Alan D Wilson - Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Ladner, British Columbia   6, 7) Dick - Wyoming
3, 4, 8) Male   5, 6, 7) Female




Wigeon, Eurasian  Anas penelope    Found: North America (infrequently), Europe, Asia
Photographed by 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) Dick Daniels - Sylvan Heights
  5 - 7) Female



Garganey Anas querquedula  Found: North America (infrequently), Europe, Asia, Africa
Photographed by:   1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) Dick Daniels - Sylvan Heights   3) Dick - Wyoming
  4 - 8) Male



Mallard Anas platyrhynchos   Found: The Americas, Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand
Photographed by: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) Dick Daniels  4) Alan D Wilson - LaFarge Lake, Coquitlam, British Columbia.
2, 3, 4) Female

Males morphing into breeding plumage

Males in breeding plumage


Shoveler, Northern Anas clypeata   Found: North America, Europe, Asia, Australia (rare)
Photographed by: 2, 4, 6, 7) Dick Daniels - North Carolina   1, 3, 5, 8, 9) Dick - Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park  
2, 4, 5) Female  6) Nonbreeding male







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