WATERFOWL of the world
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]
Whistling Ducks
Order Anseriformes Family Anatidae
The whistling ducks have long legs and necks, and are very gregarious, flying to and from night-time roosts in large flocks. Both sexes have the same plumage, and all have a hunched appearance and black underwings in flight. Their name refers to their loud whistling-like call.
Genus Dendrocygna
Duck, Black-bellied Whistling Dendrocygna autumnalis Found: The Americas
Photographed by: 1) Dick Daniels - San Diego Zoo 2) Sandy Cole - San Diego Zoo
3, 4, 6, 7) Dick - Sylvan Heights 5) Dick - Sylvan Heights 8) Alan D. Wilson
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Duck, Lesser Whistling also Indian Whistling-duck Dendrocygna javanica Found: southern Asia
Similar to: Fulvous Whistling Duck
Photographed by: 1, 2) Dick Daniels - Sylvan Heights 3) Dick Daniels - Sylvan Heights
Duck, Fulvous Whistling Dendrocygna bicolor Found: The Americas, Africa
Similar to: Lesser Whistling Duck
Photographed by: 1, 2, 7) Dick Daniels - Birds of Eden, South Africa
6) Dick Daniels - Sylvan Heights 3, 4, 5) Dick - Sylvan Heights 8) Sandy Cole - Birds of Eden
Duck, Plumed Whistling Dendrocygna eytoni Found: Australia
Photographed by Arthur Chapman - Waterbird Habitat, University of Queensland Campus, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
Duck, Spotted Whistling Dendrocygna guttata Found: Philippines, Australasia
Photographed by: 1, 2) Dick Daniels - Sylvan Heights
Duck, West Indian Whistling Dendrocygna arborea Found: The Caribbean
Photographed by: 1, 2, 4) Dick Daniels - Jamaica 3) Dick - Puerto Rico at the Mayaquez Zoo
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5, 8) Dick - Sylvan Heights 6, 7) Dick - Sylvan Heights
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Duck, White-faced Whistling Dendrocygna viduata Found: South America, Africa
The female Cape Shelduck may be confused with the White-faced Whistling Duck.
4) Dick - Birds of Eden, South Africa 5) Sandy Cole - Birds of Eden 6) Dick - San Diego Zoo
Duck, Wandering Whistling Dendrocygna arcuata Found:
Photographed by: Aviceda
Genus Thalassornis - 1 species
It is not clear what the nearest relative is of the White-backed Duck, perhaps the Whistling Ducks.
Duck, White-backed Thalassornis leuconotus Found: southern Africa
Photographed by: 1, 3) Dick Daniels- Sylvan Heights 2) Dick - Sylvan Heights 4) Dick - San Diego Zoo
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.