This is my list of my favorite 24 waterfowl. It will touch on basic natural history such as breeding and migration. Phylogeny is listed below for each chosen species. Enjoy!
ORDER ANSERIFORMES
FAMILY ANHIMIDAE
Horned Screamer - Anhima cornuta
FAMILY ANSERANATIDAE
Magpie Goose - Anseranas semipalmata
FAMILY ANATIDAE (ducks, geese, swans)
TRIBE DENDROCYGNINI (whistling ducks)
Black-bellied Whistling Duck - Dendrocygna autumnalis
TRIBE ANSERINI (geese)
Emperor Goose - Chen canagica
Bar-headed Goose - Anser indicus
TRIBE CYGNINI (swans)
Black Swan - Cygnus atratus
TRIBE MERGANETTINI (torrent ducks & allies)
Blue Duck - Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos
TRIBE TADORNINI (true shelducks & sheldgeese)
Ruddy Shelduck - Tadorna ferruginea
TRIBE ANATINI (dabbling ducks)
Wood Duck - Aix sponsa
Mandarin Duck - Anas rubripes
Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos
Cinnamon Teal - Anas cyanoptera
Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata
Northern Pintail Anas acuta
TRIBE AYTHYINI (bay ducks)
Redhead - Aythya americana
Greater Scaup Aythya marila
TRIBE MERGINI (sea-ducks)
King Eider Somateria spectabilis
Steller's Eider - Polysticta stelleri
Harlequin Duck Histrionicus histrionicus
Surf Scoter - Melanitta perspicillata
Commmon Goldeneye - Bucephala clangula
Bufflehead - Bucephala albeola
Hooded Merganser - Lophodytes cucullatus
TRIBE OXYURINI (stiff-tailed ducks)
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis
FAMILY ANHIMIDAE
Horned Screamer - Anhima cornuta
FAMILY ANSERANATIDAE
Magpie Goose - Anseranas semipalmata
FAMILY ANATIDAE (ducks, geese, swans)
TRIBE DENDROCYGNINI (whistling ducks)
Black-bellied Whistling Duck - Dendrocygna autumnalis
TRIBE ANSERINI (geese)
Emperor Goose - Chen canagica
Bar-headed Goose - Anser indicus
TRIBE CYGNINI (swans)
Black Swan - Cygnus atratus
TRIBE MERGANETTINI (torrent ducks & allies)
Blue Duck - Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos
TRIBE TADORNINI (true shelducks & sheldgeese)
Ruddy Shelduck - Tadorna ferruginea
TRIBE ANATINI (dabbling ducks)
Wood Duck - Aix sponsa
Mandarin Duck - Anas rubripes
Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos
Cinnamon Teal - Anas cyanoptera
Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata
Northern Pintail Anas acuta
TRIBE AYTHYINI (bay ducks)
Redhead - Aythya americana
Greater Scaup Aythya marila
TRIBE MERGINI (sea-ducks)
King Eider Somateria spectabilis
Steller's Eider - Polysticta stelleri
Harlequin Duck Histrionicus histrionicus
Surf Scoter - Melanitta perspicillata
Commmon Goldeneye - Bucephala clangula
Bufflehead - Bucephala albeola
Hooded Merganser - Lophodytes cucullatus
TRIBE OXYURINI (stiff-tailed ducks)
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis
Horned Screamer
Family: Anhimidae
Scientific Name: Anhima cornuta
Size: 71 to 92 cm
Behavior: Non-migratory bird: remain in their breeding range all year
Habitat: Tropical lowland fresh water; lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes, and swamps
Food: Mainly herbivore;Leaves seeds, grains, nuts and insects
Scientific Name: Anhima cornuta
Size: 71 to 92 cm
Behavior: Non-migratory bird: remain in their breeding range all year
Habitat: Tropical lowland fresh water; lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes, and swamps
Food: Mainly herbivore;Leaves seeds, grains, nuts and insects
Breeding Biology: Pair for life
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: Long bone spurs covered with keratin are a result of fused carpel bones and are 2 to 5 cm
Source: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Anhima_cornuta/
- Age of First Breeding: about 1 year old
- Clutch size: 2 - 8 eggs
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: Long bone spurs covered with keratin are a result of fused carpel bones and are 2 to 5 cm
Source: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Anhima_cornuta/
Magpie Goose
Family: Anseranatidae
Scientific Name: Anseranas semipalmata
Size: 70 to 90 cm
Behavior: Social animals that live in flocks and travel together when migrating
Habitat: Wet grasslands, swamps, and other marshlands along coast, rarely stray inland
Food: Eat swamp grass seeds, wild rice, blades of dry grasses, and bulbs of spike-rush
Scientific Name: Anseranas semipalmata
Size: 70 to 90 cm
Behavior: Social animals that live in flocks and travel together when migrating
Habitat: Wet grasslands, swamps, and other marshlands along coast, rarely stray inland
Food: Eat swamp grass seeds, wild rice, blades of dry grasses, and bulbs of spike-rush
Breeding Biology:
Migratory Range: Found only in their native Australia habitat and the neighboring island of New Guinea.
IUCN Status: Least concern
Fun Fact: While raising chicks, they generally live in groups of three, consisting of one male and two females.
Source: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Anseranas_semipalmata/
- Age of First Breeding: About 2 years for both sexes
- Clutch Size: 3 - 8 eggs
Migratory Range: Found only in their native Australia habitat and the neighboring island of New Guinea.
IUCN Status: Least concern
Fun Fact: While raising chicks, they generally live in groups of three, consisting of one male and two females.
Source: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Anseranas_semipalmata/
Black-bellied Whistling Duck
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Dendrocygnini
Scientific Name: Dendrocygna autumnalis
Size: 47–51 cm
Behavior: perch or nest in trees
Habitat: Marsh
Food: Aquatic plants, grass, grain, insects, and
mollusks
Tribe: Dendrocygnini
Scientific Name: Dendrocygna autumnalis
Size: 47–51 cm
Behavior: perch or nest in trees
Habitat: Marsh
Food: Aquatic plants, grass, grain, insects, and
mollusks
Breeding biology: Pair for life
IUCN Status: Least concern
Fun Fact: Formerly known as tree-ducks, but only a few, such as the Black-bellied Whistling duck actually perch or nest in trees
Source: http://sta.uwi.edu/fst/lifesciences/documents/Dendrocygna_autumnalis.pdf
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-bellied_Whistling-Duck/lifehistory
- Age of First Breeding: 1 year old
- Clutch Size: 9–18 eggs
IUCN Status: Least concern
Fun Fact: Formerly known as tree-ducks, but only a few, such as the Black-bellied Whistling duck actually perch or nest in trees
Source: http://sta.uwi.edu/fst/lifesciences/documents/Dendrocygna_autumnalis.pdf
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-bellied_Whistling-Duck/lifehistory
Emperor Goose
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Anserini
Scientific Name: Chen canagica
Size: 66-89 cm
Behavior: Spend time by themselves, away from other bird species or with Lesser snow geese.
Habitat: roost along the coast during the non-breeding season in beaches, cliffs, dunes and along reefs. Breeding grounds are inland in marshes and meadows by a lake or riverbed.
Tribe: Anserini
Scientific Name: Chen canagica
Size: 66-89 cm
Behavior: Spend time by themselves, away from other bird species or with Lesser snow geese.
Habitat: roost along the coast during the non-breeding season in beaches, cliffs, dunes and along reefs. Breeding grounds are inland in marshes and meadows by a lake or riverbed.
Food: Eelgrass, seaweed, algae, grasses, sedges, berries, mollusks and crustaceans.
Breeding Biology: Bond with a different goose only if the previous mate dies
Migration Range: They winter along the Aleutian Islands chain.
IUCN Status: Near Threatened
Fun Fact: Average lifespan of emperor geese has been recorded to be about 6 years with a maximum life expectancy of 12 years, but many scientists believe its underestimated
Source:
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Emperor_Goose/id
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Anser_canagicus/
Breeding Biology: Bond with a different goose only if the previous mate dies
- Age of First Breeding: 3 -4 years
- Clutch Size: 2 - 8 eggs
Migration Range: They winter along the Aleutian Islands chain.
IUCN Status: Near Threatened
Fun Fact: Average lifespan of emperor geese has been recorded to be about 6 years with a maximum life expectancy of 12 years, but many scientists believe its underestimated
Source:
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Emperor_Goose/id
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Anser_canagicus/
Bar-headed Goose
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Anserini
Scientific Name: Anser indicus
Size: 71-76 cm
Behavior: They can be seen spending time near Mute Swans, and eating food tossed toward them from the visitors.
Tribe: Anserini
Scientific Name: Anser indicus
Size: 71-76 cm
Behavior: They can be seen spending time near Mute Swans, and eating food tossed toward them from the visitors.
Habitat: Found in high elevations and use freshwater marshes, lakes, and streams
Food: graze on grasses and agricultural crops
Breeding Biology: Males pair with one single female for several years
Migration: They winter in north-east, north-west, and southern India, and in parts mid-east China.
IUCN Status: Least concern
Fun Fact: They nest in depressions in the grass, low cliffs, and low trees.
Source: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Anser_indicus/
Food: graze on grasses and agricultural crops
Breeding Biology: Males pair with one single female for several years
- Age of First Breeding: common age is three years
- Clutch Size: 3-6 eggs
Migration: They winter in north-east, north-west, and southern India, and in parts mid-east China.
IUCN Status: Least concern
Fun Fact: They nest in depressions in the grass, low cliffs, and low trees.
Source: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Anser_indicus/
Black Swan
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Cygnini
Scientific Name: Cygnus atratus
Size: 1.1 to 1.4 m
Behavior: Least territorial of all swans and sometimes nest in colonies
Habitat: lakes, rivers and swampland, which can be fresh, salt or brackish water.
Food: herbivorous; eat vegetation and plants either in the water or on land, seldom eat insects
Tribe: Cygnini
Scientific Name: Cygnus atratus
Size: 1.1 to 1.4 m
Behavior: Least territorial of all swans and sometimes nest in colonies
Habitat: lakes, rivers and swampland, which can be fresh, salt or brackish water.
Food: herbivorous; eat vegetation and plants either in the water or on land, seldom eat insects
Breeding Biology: Pair for life
Migration: Native to Australia and Tasmania
IUCN Status: Least concern
Fun Fact: Have been introduced to New Zealand, Europe, and North America
Source:
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Cygnus_atratu/#reproduction
- Age of First Breeding: 18 to 36 months
- Clutch Size: 5 to 6 eggs
Migration: Native to Australia and Tasmania
IUCN Status: Least concern
Fun Fact: Have been introduced to New Zealand, Europe, and North America
Source:
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Cygnus_atratu/#reproduction
Blue Duck
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Merganettini
Scientific Name: Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos
Size: 53 cm
Behavior: Active at dawn and dusk and do not migrate
Habitat: Spend their entire life on rivers or streams in mountainous areas
Tribe: Merganettini
Scientific Name: Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos
Size: 53 cm
Behavior: Active at dawn and dusk and do not migrate
Habitat: Spend their entire life on rivers or streams in mountainous areas
Food: Larvae and pupae usually found under rocks, aquatic animals, plant material, seeds, small fish, snails, and crabs.
Breeding Biology: Believed to remain paired for life
IUCN Status: Endangered
Fun Fact: Unlike other ducks, both males and females stay and help raise the brood each year
Source: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Hymenolaimus_malacorhynchos/
Breeding Biology: Believed to remain paired for life
- Age of First Breeding:Most males will not breed until their second year while most females mate at one year old.
- Clutch Size: 4-7 eggs
IUCN Status: Endangered
Fun Fact: Unlike other ducks, both males and females stay and help raise the brood each year
Source: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Hymenolaimus_malacorhynchos/
Ruddy Shelduck
Family: Anatide
Tribe: Tadornini
Scientific Name: Tadorna ferruginea
Size: 61-67 cm
Behavior: Female choices her mate based on what male is willing to drive other males away to be with her
Habitat: Shores of inland freshwater, saline and brackish lakes and rivers in open country, particularly those in open steppe, upland plateau and mountainous regions.
Tribe: Tadornini
Scientific Name: Tadorna ferruginea
Size: 61-67 cm
Behavior: Female choices her mate based on what male is willing to drive other males away to be with her
Habitat: Shores of inland freshwater, saline and brackish lakes and rivers in open country, particularly those in open steppe, upland plateau and mountainous regions.
Food: aquatic plants, corn, rice, crustaceans, mollusks, small fish, worms, amphibians, insects and larvae
Breeding Biology: Single pairs or in loose colonies, nest is in cavity, burrow, rock crevice, or created in sand or clay bank.
Migration: Some populations winter in the Nile Valley, India, South East Asia and Korea. Some winter in southern Spain and others are sedentary
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: The species is very aggressive towards other waterfowl
Source: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/100600397/0
http://www.avianweb.com/ruddyshelduck.html
Breeding Biology: Single pairs or in loose colonies, nest is in cavity, burrow, rock crevice, or created in sand or clay bank.
- Age of First Breeding: 2 years old
- Clutch Size: up to 16 white eggs
Migration: Some populations winter in the Nile Valley, India, South East Asia and Korea. Some winter in southern Spain and others are sedentary
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: The species is very aggressive towards other waterfowl
Source: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/100600397/0
http://www.avianweb.com/ruddyshelduck.html
Wood Duck
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Anatini
Scientific Name: Aix sponsa
Size: 47–54 cm
Behavior: Not territorial, with the exception of a male fighting off other males that approach his mate too closely.
Tribe: Anatini
Scientific Name: Aix sponsa
Size: 47–54 cm
Behavior: Not territorial, with the exception of a male fighting off other males that approach his mate too closely.
Habitat: Thrive in bottomland forests, swamps, freshwater marshes, and beaver ponds
Food: Seeds, fruits, insects and other arthropods, in dry conditions acorns and other nuts from forests and grain from fields
Breeding Biology: Cavity nesters and can be parasitic
Migration: in the east of the range they migrate southeast in the winter, on the west coast they spend the winter in southern California and the Mexican Pacific coast. Wood ducks in the southern part of the range do not migrate.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: Is a popular game bird and is second only to the Mallard in numbers shot each year in the U.S.
Source: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/wood_duck/lifehistory
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Aix_sponsa/
Food: Seeds, fruits, insects and other arthropods, in dry conditions acorns and other nuts from forests and grain from fields
Breeding Biology: Cavity nesters and can be parasitic
- Age of First Breeding: 1 year old
- Clutch Size: 6–16 eggs
Migration: in the east of the range they migrate southeast in the winter, on the west coast they spend the winter in southern California and the Mexican Pacific coast. Wood ducks in the southern part of the range do not migrate.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: Is a popular game bird and is second only to the Mallard in numbers shot each year in the U.S.
Source: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/wood_duck/lifehistory
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Aix_sponsa/
Mandarin Duck
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Anatini
Scientific Name: Aix galericulata
Size: 43-51cm
Behavior: Courtship display is very impressive and includes mock-drinking and shaking
Tribe: Anatini
Scientific Name: Aix galericulata
Size: 43-51cm
Behavior: Courtship display is very impressive and includes mock-drinking and shaking
Habitat: Naturally live on forests in China and Japan and prefer wooded ponds and fast flowing rocky streams to swim, wade, and feed
Food: Water plants, rice and other grains
Breeding Biology: Fly in pairs to the spring nesting grounds and have an aggressive courtship
Migration: In the Far East, Mandarins are migratory and most ducks in the British population are sedentary.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: Just like Wood ducks, all the chicks land unhurt and go nearest feeding ground.
Source:
http://thewebsiteofeverything.com/animals/birds/Anseriformes/Anatidae/Aix-galericulata
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Aix_galericulata/#habitat
http://www.birdinginformation.com/birds/ducks/mandarin-duck/
Food: Water plants, rice and other grains
Breeding Biology: Fly in pairs to the spring nesting grounds and have an aggressive courtship
- Age of First Breeding: 1 year old
- Clutch Size: 9-12 eggs
Migration: In the Far East, Mandarins are migratory and most ducks in the British population are sedentary.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: Just like Wood ducks, all the chicks land unhurt and go nearest feeding ground.
Source:
http://thewebsiteofeverything.com/animals/birds/Anseriformes/Anatidae/Aix-galericulata
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Aix_galericulata/#habitat
http://www.birdinginformation.com/birds/ducks/mandarin-duck/
Mallard
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Anatini
Scientific Name: Anas platyrhynchos
Size: 50–65 cm
Behavior: Can become very tame and approachable
Tribe: Anatini
Scientific Name: Anas platyrhynchos
Size: 50–65 cm
Behavior: Can become very tame and approachable
Habitat: Found in almost any wetland habitats, including permanent wetlands such as marshes, bogs, riverine floodplains, beaver ponds, lakes, reservoirs, ponds, city parks, farms, and estuaries.
Food: generalist foragers and will eat a wide variety of food animal matter and agricultural seed
Breeding Biology: Generally monogamous but paired males chase females other than their mates
Migration: Occur year-round across much of the U.S. and breed across Canada and Alaska, leave in the fall for wintering sites in southern U.S. and northern Mexico.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: Number one hunted waterfowl species in North America
Source: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mallard/lifehistory
http://www.birdinginformation.com/birds/ducks/mallard-duck/
Food: generalist foragers and will eat a wide variety of food animal matter and agricultural seed
Breeding Biology: Generally monogamous but paired males chase females other than their mates
- Age of First Breeding: 1 year old
- Clutch Size: 1–13 eggs
Migration: Occur year-round across much of the U.S. and breed across Canada and Alaska, leave in the fall for wintering sites in southern U.S. and northern Mexico.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: Number one hunted waterfowl species in North America
Source: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mallard/lifehistory
http://www.birdinginformation.com/birds/ducks/mallard-duck/
Cinnamon Teal
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Anatini
Scientific Name: Anas cyanoptera
Description: 41 cm
Behavior: Pairs tend to sleep or rest within a meter of one another and the males often remain alert while the female sleeps.
Tribe: Anatini
Scientific Name: Anas cyanoptera
Description: 41 cm
Behavior: Pairs tend to sleep or rest within a meter of one another and the males often remain alert while the female sleeps.
Habitat: Marshes, shallow ponds, and lakes with alkaline water bordered by low herbaceous growth
Food: Submerged plants, seeds, emergent plants, insects and mollusks
Breeding Biology: Mating pair bonds are renewed each season and females attract the males by swimming in front of the desired mate.
Migration: Highly migratory, beginning its fall migration early which peaks in August and September.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: The Cinnamon Teal is the only duck with separate breeding populations in North America and South America.
Source: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/cinnamon_teal/lifehistory
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Anas_cyanoptera/
http://www.birdweb.org/birdweb/bird/cinnamon_teal
Food: Submerged plants, seeds, emergent plants, insects and mollusks
Breeding Biology: Mating pair bonds are renewed each season and females attract the males by swimming in front of the desired mate.
- Age of First Breeding: 1 year old
- Clutch Size: 4 to 16
Migration: Highly migratory, beginning its fall migration early which peaks in August and September.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: The Cinnamon Teal is the only duck with separate breeding populations in North America and South America.
Source: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/cinnamon_teal/lifehistory
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Anas_cyanoptera/
http://www.birdweb.org/birdweb/bird/cinnamon_teal
Northern Shoveler
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Anatini
Scientific Name: Anas clypeata
Size: 44–51 cm
Behavior: Are quiet birds that tolerate human presence and can be relatively tame
Habitat: Shallow, marshy ponds and wetlands at low elevations
Tribe: Anatini
Scientific Name: Anas clypeata
Size: 44–51 cm
Behavior: Are quiet birds that tolerate human presence and can be relatively tame
Habitat: Shallow, marshy ponds and wetlands at low elevations
Food: Tiny crustaceans, molluscs, insects, and their larvae, seeds and pieces of leaves and stems of plants. May also eat water beetles, small minnows and snails.
Breeding Biology: Pair bonds remain intact through incubation
Migration: fly from the Prairie Pothole Region through the Pacific or Central flyways, with major stopover areas in the Great Salt Lake, Malheur Basin and Carson Sink. They winter in California; coastal Louisiana, Texas, and Mexico; and the north and central highlands of Mexico
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: Bill has comb like teeth along the upper and lower mandibles
Source: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Anas_clypeata/
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/northern_shoveler/lifehistory
Breeding Biology: Pair bonds remain intact through incubation
- Age of First Breeding: 1-2 years
- Clutch Size: 9-11
Migration: fly from the Prairie Pothole Region through the Pacific or Central flyways, with major stopover areas in the Great Salt Lake, Malheur Basin and Carson Sink. They winter in California; coastal Louisiana, Texas, and Mexico; and the north and central highlands of Mexico
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: Bill has comb like teeth along the upper and lower mandibles
Source: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Anas_clypeata/
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/northern_shoveler/lifehistory
Northern Pintail
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Anatini
Scientific Name: Anas acuta
Size: 51-62 cm
Behavior: dabble in the water for food, drinking, preening, sleeping, or eating food visitors throw for them.
Tribe: Anatini
Scientific Name: Anas acuta
Size: 51-62 cm
Behavior: dabble in the water for food, drinking, preening, sleeping, or eating food visitors throw for them.
Habitat: Marshes, ponds, lakes, rivers, canals, and grain fields, such as rice, oats, wheat, and barley
Food: grass seeds, sedges, pondweeds, mollusks, crustaceans, aquatic insects, caddis fly, and midge larvae
Breeding Biology: Males remain with the females through the incubation period
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: Achieves great speeds while flying, receiving the nickname ‘greyhound of the air’
Source: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/northern_pintail/lifehistory
http://www.avianweb.com/pintailducks.html
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Anas_acuta/
Food: grass seeds, sedges, pondweeds, mollusks, crustaceans, aquatic insects, caddis fly, and midge larvae
Breeding Biology: Males remain with the females through the incubation period
- Age of First Breeding: 1 year old
- Clutch Size: 7-9 eggs
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: Achieves great speeds while flying, receiving the nickname ‘greyhound of the air’
Source: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/northern_pintail/lifehistory
http://www.avianweb.com/pintailducks.html
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Anas_acuta/
Redhead
Family:
Anatidae
Tribe: Aythyini
Scientific Name: Aythya americana
Size: 42–54 cm
Behavior: When they spot a particular area to land, they may circle it and gradually make their descent, ending with a splashing into the water.
Habitat: Freshwater lakes, ponds, and marshes
Tribe: Aythyini
Scientific Name: Aythya americana
Size: 42–54 cm
Behavior: When they spot a particular area to land, they may circle it and gradually make their descent, ending with a splashing into the water.
Habitat: Freshwater lakes, ponds, and marshes
Food: Seeds, rhizomes, tubers of pondweeds, wild celery, water lilies, grasses, wild rice mollusks, aquatic insects and small fish.
Breeding Biology: Females take lead by standing up tall and jerk her head up and down, and then hold it erect.
Migratory Range: Significant migration corridor extends from southwestern Manitoba and southeastern Idaho to the Gulf Coast, some redheads migrate eastward from the northern prairies to the Great Lakes, and then onward to the Chesapeake Bay and Florida
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: The Redhead is known to lay eggs in the nests of other Redheads, at least 10 other duck species, and even nests of the American Bittern and Northern Harrier. Many parasiticallly laid eggs fail to hatch.
Source: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Aythya_americana/#reproduction
Breeding Biology: Females take lead by standing up tall and jerk her head up and down, and then hold it erect.
- Age of First Breeding: about 1 year old
- Clutch Size: 7-10 eggs
Migratory Range: Significant migration corridor extends from southwestern Manitoba and southeastern Idaho to the Gulf Coast, some redheads migrate eastward from the northern prairies to the Great Lakes, and then onward to the Chesapeake Bay and Florida
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: The Redhead is known to lay eggs in the nests of other Redheads, at least 10 other duck species, and even nests of the American Bittern and Northern Harrier. Many parasiticallly laid eggs fail to hatch.
Source: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Aythya_americana/#reproduction
Greater Scaup
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Aythyini
Scientific Name: Aythya marila
Size: 39–56 cm
Behavior: Greater and lesser scaup are often found together
Tribe: Aythyini
Scientific Name: Aythya marila
Size: 39–56 cm
Behavior: Greater and lesser scaup are often found together
Habitat: Breeds in the tundra, wooded tundra, moorland areas and winter shallow coastal waters
Food: Clams, snails, crustaceans, aquatic insects, seeds, and aquatic plants
Breeding Biology: Once incubation begins, the male Greater Scaup leaves the female and goes to molt on some relatively large, isolated lake.
Migratory Range: summer breeding grounds range across northern Europe, Asia, the Aleutian Islands, Alaska and across to the Atlantic coast of Canada. Winter further south in California, the great lakes and northern Florida in North America, the Adriatic Sea and northern Black Sea in Europe, the western Caspian Sea and as well as on the Pacific coast of Asia. It can also be found as far as south-east China.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: Unlike its look-alike relative the Lesser Scaup, the Greater Scaup is found across Eurasia as well as North America.
Source: http://www.ducks.org/hunting/waterfowl-id/greater-scaup
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/greater_scaup/lifehistory
Food: Clams, snails, crustaceans, aquatic insects, seeds, and aquatic plants
Breeding Biology: Once incubation begins, the male Greater Scaup leaves the female and goes to molt on some relatively large, isolated lake.
- Age of First Breeding: 2 years old but can start nesting at 1 year
- Clutch Size: 6-9 eggs
Migratory Range: summer breeding grounds range across northern Europe, Asia, the Aleutian Islands, Alaska and across to the Atlantic coast of Canada. Winter further south in California, the great lakes and northern Florida in North America, the Adriatic Sea and northern Black Sea in Europe, the western Caspian Sea and as well as on the Pacific coast of Asia. It can also be found as far as south-east China.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: Unlike its look-alike relative the Lesser Scaup, the Greater Scaup is found across Eurasia as well as North America.
Source: http://www.ducks.org/hunting/waterfowl-id/greater-scaup
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/greater_scaup/lifehistory
King Eider
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Mergini
Scientific Name: Somateria spectabilis
Size: 47-63 cm
Behavior: Forages on sea beds up to 25 meters deep.
Tribe: Mergini
Scientific Name: Somateria spectabilis
Size: 47-63 cm
Behavior: Forages on sea beds up to 25 meters deep.
Habitat: Nests in various tundra habitats, generally in low marshy areas. Winters in coastlines or open shallow water.
Food: Aquatic insect larvae, crustaceans and plant matter in summer. In the winter it feeds on a variety marine animals such as mollusks, crustaceans, and echinoderms.
Breeding Biology: Seasonally monogamous and the males will leave the females part way through incubation.
Migration: Winter on the Aleutian Island Chain north-eastern Canada, western Greenland, and Iceland
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: The female King Eider does not feed very often during the 22-24 day incubation period. One female did not leave her nest for seven days before being flushed by an arctic fox.
Source: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/King_Eider/lifehistory
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/King_Eider/lifehistory
Food: Aquatic insect larvae, crustaceans and plant matter in summer. In the winter it feeds on a variety marine animals such as mollusks, crustaceans, and echinoderms.
Breeding Biology: Seasonally monogamous and the males will leave the females part way through incubation.
- Age of First Breeding: 1 year old
- Clutch Size: 2-7 eggs
Migration: Winter on the Aleutian Island Chain north-eastern Canada, western Greenland, and Iceland
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: The female King Eider does not feed very often during the 22-24 day incubation period. One female did not leave her nest for seven days before being flushed by an arctic fox.
Source: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/King_Eider/lifehistory
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/King_Eider/lifehistory
Steller’s Eider
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Mergini
Scientific Name: Polysticta stelleri
Size: 43-47 cm
Behavior: Spends the winter in large flocks. Flocks dive synchronously and may create a spray as they dive and then surface in unison.
Tribe: Mergini
Scientific Name: Polysticta stelleri
Size: 43-47 cm
Behavior: Spends the winter in large flocks. Flocks dive synchronously and may create a spray as they dive and then surface in unison.
Habitat: Breeds on tundra, near edges of shallow ponds and are not so closely tied to the sea or coast in comparison to other eiders.
Food: crustaceans, mollusks, aquatic insect larvae, pondweeds, and eelgrass
Breeding Biology: Solitary breeders and prefer to nest on islands or peninsulas in tundra lakes and ponds near the coast.
Migration: They winter in the Bering Sea, along the Aleutian Island Chain, in northern Scandinavia, throughout the Baltic Sea, and along the coast of Kamchatka.
IUCN Status: Vulnerable
Fun Fact: The smallest eider and is restricted to northern latitudes where it breeds in freshwater tundra ponds.
Source: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Stellers_Eider/lifehistory
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=stellerseider.main
Food: crustaceans, mollusks, aquatic insect larvae, pondweeds, and eelgrass
Breeding Biology: Solitary breeders and prefer to nest on islands or peninsulas in tundra lakes and ponds near the coast.
- Age of First Breeding: 2–3 years old
- Clutch Size: 7-8 eggs
Migration: They winter in the Bering Sea, along the Aleutian Island Chain, in northern Scandinavia, throughout the Baltic Sea, and along the coast of Kamchatka.
IUCN Status: Vulnerable
Fun Fact: The smallest eider and is restricted to northern latitudes where it breeds in freshwater tundra ponds.
Source: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Stellers_Eider/lifehistory
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=stellerseider.main
Harlequin Duck
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Mergini
Scientific Name: Histrionicus histrionicus
Size: 33–54 cm
Behavior: A bird of fast-moving water, the Harlequin Duck breeds on fast-flowing streams and winters along rocky coastlines in the crashing surf.
Tribe: Mergini
Scientific Name: Histrionicus histrionicus
Size: 33–54 cm
Behavior: A bird of fast-moving water, the Harlequin Duck breeds on fast-flowing streams and winters along rocky coastlines in the crashing surf.
Habitat: Mountain streams and rivers, usually in forested regions; in winter, primarily turbulent coastal waters, especially in rocky regions.
Food: Insects, fish, and marine invertebrates
Breeding Biology: Pairs form during winter and spring, and dissolve after the female begins incubation.
Migration: from interior regions, Pacific Harlequins winter in coastal areas from the Aleutian and Pribolof islands south to central California. The Atlantic population winters in coastal areas from Greenland and Iceland south through Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and down to Maryland.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: gives distinctly unducklike squeaks, the source of one of its local names: sea mouse.
Source:http://www.ducks.org/hunting/waterfowl-id/harlequin-duck
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/harlequin_duck/lifehistory
Food: Insects, fish, and marine invertebrates
Breeding Biology: Pairs form during winter and spring, and dissolve after the female begins incubation.
- Age of First Breeding: 2 years old
- Clutch Size: 3–9 eggs
Migration: from interior regions, Pacific Harlequins winter in coastal areas from the Aleutian and Pribolof islands south to central California. The Atlantic population winters in coastal areas from Greenland and Iceland south through Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and down to Maryland.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: gives distinctly unducklike squeaks, the source of one of its local names: sea mouse.
Source:http://www.ducks.org/hunting/waterfowl-id/harlequin-duck
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/harlequin_duck/lifehistory
Surf Scoter
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Mergini
Scientific Name: Melanitta perspicillata
Size: 48–60 cm
Behavior: Males defends a moving area around the female and female with a brood is not territorial.
Tribe: Mergini
Scientific Name: Melanitta perspicillata
Size: 48–60 cm
Behavior: Males defends a moving area around the female and female with a brood is not territorial.
Habitat: Breeds on shallow lakes in boreal forest and tundra and winters in shallow marine coastal waters, usually over pebble and sand bottom.
Food: Freshwater invertebrates, especially mollusks.
Breeding Biology: This species is seasonally monogamous with pairs forming for a single breeding season.
Migration: Breed in Alaska, Yukon, Wyoming, California, Massachusetts, southern Baffin Island, Quebec, Labrador and the Gaspe Peninsula. They also breed in Greenland and Iceland. They winter along the coasts of the Bering Sea Islands, Japan, Korea, China, California, and Labrador to Long Island.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: Accidental exchanges of young among Surf Scoter broods are frequent on crowded lakes.
Source: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/surf_scoter/lifehistory
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Histrionicus_histrionicus/
Food: Freshwater invertebrates, especially mollusks.
Breeding Biology: This species is seasonally monogamous with pairs forming for a single breeding season.
- Age of First Breeding: 2 years old
- Clutch Size: 6–9 eggs
Migration: Breed in Alaska, Yukon, Wyoming, California, Massachusetts, southern Baffin Island, Quebec, Labrador and the Gaspe Peninsula. They also breed in Greenland and Iceland. They winter along the coasts of the Bering Sea Islands, Japan, Korea, China, California, and Labrador to Long Island.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: Accidental exchanges of young among Surf Scoter broods are frequent on crowded lakes.
Source: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/surf_scoter/lifehistory
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Histrionicus_histrionicus/
Common Goldeneye
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Mergini
Scientific Name: Bucephala clangula
Size: 40–51 cm
Behavior: Goldeneyes are aggressive and territorial
Tribe: Mergini
Scientific Name: Bucephala clangula
Size: 40–51 cm
Behavior: Goldeneyes are aggressive and territorial
Habitat: Breeds along lakes and rivers bordered by forest and winters primarily in marine waters, bays and harbors, as well as in large inland lakes and rivers.
Food: Aquatic invertebrates, and occasionally small fish and vegetation
Breeding Biology: Pairs form in late winter or early spring
Migration: is one of the last ducks to migrate south in fall. It often will winter as far north as open water permits.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: A female Common Goldeneye often lays eggs in the nest of another females, especially in nest boxes. She may lay in the nests of other species of ducks as well.
Source:
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Goldeneye/lifehistory
http://www.birdweb.org/birdweb/bird/common_goldeneye
Food: Aquatic invertebrates, and occasionally small fish and vegetation
Breeding Biology: Pairs form in late winter or early spring
- Age of First Breeding: 2 years old
- Clutch Size: 5–16 eggs
Migration: is one of the last ducks to migrate south in fall. It often will winter as far north as open water permits.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: A female Common Goldeneye often lays eggs in the nest of another females, especially in nest boxes. She may lay in the nests of other species of ducks as well.
Source:
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Goldeneye/lifehistory
http://www.birdweb.org/birdweb/bird/common_goldeneye
Bufflehead
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Mergini
Scientific Name: Bucephala albeola
Size: 32–40 cm
Behavior: Nests almost exclusively in holes excavated by Northern Flickers and, on occasion, by Pileated Woodpeckers
Tribe: Mergini
Scientific Name: Bucephala albeola
Size: 32–40 cm
Behavior: Nests almost exclusively in holes excavated by Northern Flickers and, on occasion, by Pileated Woodpeckers
Habitat: Near ponds and lakes in boreal forest and aspen parkland
Food: Aquatic invertebrates, crustaceans, and mollusks
Breeding Biology: Mostly monogamous, often remaining with the same mate for several years.
Migration: Buffleheads from eastern Alberta migrate to the eastern United States and the Gulf Coast of Mexico, and birds from western Canada migrate south along the Pacific Flyway.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: In the winter they occasionally show up elsewhere, including Kamchatka, Japan, Greenland, Iceland, the British Isles, Belgium, France, Finland, and Czechoslovakia.
Source: http://www.ducks.org/hunting/waterfowl-id/bufflehead
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Bucephala_albeola/
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/bufflehead/lifehistory
Food: Aquatic invertebrates, crustaceans, and mollusks
Breeding Biology: Mostly monogamous, often remaining with the same mate for several years.
- Age of First Breeding: 2 years old
- Clutch Size: 4–17 eggs
Migration: Buffleheads from eastern Alberta migrate to the eastern United States and the Gulf Coast of Mexico, and birds from western Canada migrate south along the Pacific Flyway.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: In the winter they occasionally show up elsewhere, including Kamchatka, Japan, Greenland, Iceland, the British Isles, Belgium, France, Finland, and Czechoslovakia.
Source: http://www.ducks.org/hunting/waterfowl-id/bufflehead
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Bucephala_albeola/
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/bufflehead/lifehistory
Hooded Merganser
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Mergini
Scientific Name: Lophodytes cucullatus
Size: 40–49 cm
Behavior: often lay their eggs in other females’ nests.
Habitat: Forested wetlands and may also nest in treeless wetlands where people have put up nest boxes
Tribe: Mergini
Scientific Name: Lophodytes cucullatus
Size: 40–49 cm
Behavior: often lay their eggs in other females’ nests.
Habitat: Forested wetlands and may also nest in treeless wetlands where people have put up nest boxes
Food: Small fish, aquatic insects, crustaceans (especially crayfish), amphibians, vegetation, and mollusks.
Breeding Biology: Pair formation has been observed from November through January.
Migration: Resident to medium-distance migrant. In eastern North America, many move south and southwest in winter, but some actually migrate north to spend winters in the Great Lakes and southern Canada.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: The Hooded Merganser is the second-smallest of the six living species of mergansers (only the Smew of Eurasia is smaller) and is the only one restricted to North America.
Source: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/hooded_merganser/lifehistory
http://www.borealbirds.org/birdguide/bd0407_species.shtml
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Lophodytes_cucullatus/
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/hooded_merganser/lifehistory
Breeding Biology: Pair formation has been observed from November through January.
- Age of First Breeding: 2 years old
- Clutch Size: 5–13 eggs
Migration: Resident to medium-distance migrant. In eastern North America, many move south and southwest in winter, but some actually migrate north to spend winters in the Great Lakes and southern Canada.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: The Hooded Merganser is the second-smallest of the six living species of mergansers (only the Smew of Eurasia is smaller) and is the only one restricted to North America.
Source: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/hooded_merganser/lifehistory
http://www.borealbirds.org/birdguide/bd0407_species.shtml
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Lophodytes_cucullatus/
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/hooded_merganser/lifehistory
Ruddy Duck
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Oxyurini
Scientific Name: Oxyura jamaicensis
Size: 35–43 cm
Behavior: Clumsy on land because of the position of their legs are set far back on the body making it difficult for them to walk.
Tribe: Oxyurini
Scientific Name: Oxyura jamaicensis
Size: 35–43 cm
Behavior: Clumsy on land because of the position of their legs are set far back on the body making it difficult for them to walk.
Habitat: Permanent freshwater marshes, lakes, and ponds during their breeding season and in winter prefer shallow marshes and coastal bays.
Food: Primarily of aquatic invertebrates and vegetation
Breeding Biology: Form pairs in late winter, unclear whether males are monogamous or polygamous.
Migration: Wintering range extends throughout most of southern North America, Guatemala and El Salvador. Ruddy ducks were introduced to England in 1960 in Gloucestershire. They have colonized Ireland and Belgium. Ruddy ducks introduced in Europe are migratory birds from the eastern United States and Mexico.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: Can live up to 13 years
Source: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Oxyura_jamaicensis/
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ruddy_Duck/lifehistory
Food: Primarily of aquatic invertebrates and vegetation
Breeding Biology: Form pairs in late winter, unclear whether males are monogamous or polygamous.
- Age of First Breeding: 1 year old
- Clutch Size: 6-10 eggs
Migration: Wintering range extends throughout most of southern North America, Guatemala and El Salvador. Ruddy ducks were introduced to England in 1960 in Gloucestershire. They have colonized Ireland and Belgium. Ruddy ducks introduced in Europe are migratory birds from the eastern United States and Mexico.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: Can live up to 13 years
Source: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Oxyura_jamaicensis/
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ruddy_Duck/lifehistory