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]
Swans
Order Anseriformes Family Anatidae
The true swans belong to genus Cygnus. They are the largest waterfowl. Geese are their closest relatives. The sexes are alike in appearance, but the males are larger. Quite unsual for birds, swans have "teeth" - jagged parts of their bill that are used for catching and eating fish. In spite of this they are mainly plant eaters. The Coscoroba Swan is not a true swan.
Genus Cygnus
Swan, Black Cygnus atratus Native to Australia. Also found: New Zealand, North America. (escaped captives), Europe (escaped captives)
Photographed by: 1) Dick Daniels - Pine Grove Waterfowl Park, Virginia 2) Dick - Flamingo Wildlife Preserve, Nevada
3) Dick - Australia 4) Dick - Birds of Eden, South Africa 5) Sandy - Sylvan Heights 6) Oystercatcher 7) Dick - Sylvan Heights
Swam, Mute Cygnus olor Found: North America (introduced) Europe, Asia, Africa
Photographed by: 1) Dick Daniels - Scotland 2) Dick - Scotland 3) Dick - New Jersey 4) Dick - New Jersey 5, 6) Dick - the the Carolinas
7) Dick - Flamingo Gardens - Flroida 8) Sandy Cole - Birds of Eden, South Africa
Swan, Tundra
Tunda Swans are sometimes split into two separate species: Bewick's Swans of Europe, Asia and Whistling Swans of North America. Since their heads coloration is decidedly different, the two species approach is followed here.
Swan, Bewick's Cygnus columbianus bewickii aka Cygnus bewickii Found: Europe, Asia
Also considered to be a subspecies of the Tundra Swan.
Similar to: Whooper Swan. The yellow on the bill of the Bewick's Swan's bill stops well before the nostrils. On the Whooper swan it continues past the nostrils.
Similar to: Whooper Swan. The yellow on the bill of the Bewick's Swan's bill stops well before the nostrils. On the Whooper swan it continues past the nostrils.
5) Dick - Sylvan Heights 6) Dick - Pine Grove Waterfowl Park, Virginia
Swan, Whooper Cygnus cygnus Found: Northern Europe and Asia
Photographed by : 1) Dick Daniels - Jacksonville Zoo in Florida 2, 3) Dick - Jacksonville Zoo in Florida
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.