24 Favorite Waterfowl species
Photos obtained from Wikipedia, Ducks Unlimited or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website.
1. Horned Screamer
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Animidae
Anhima Cornuta
Range
The Horned Screamer is found only on the continent of South America. Its range "extends from Colombia and Ecuador to south central Brazil"(Piland 2010). The bird is a permanent resident of this area and does not migrate.
Habitat
The Horned Screamer is found frequently near water. They prefer tropical areas that provide them with lots of fresh water. "They are common along banks of rivers"(Piland 2010).
Life History
They are a cursorial species, that rarely flies. They average 6 to 7 lbs in weight. The birds are distinguished by having a horn structure on the top of their head, giving them the name "horned" screamer and two spurs located on the inside of both of their wings. The birds undergo a gradual molt, not a yearly molt like other waterfowl.
The Screamer is a herbivorous. They wander back and forth between feeding sites "grazing and digging for plants including Hydrangea spp., eichornia crassipes, Polygonum hispidum, Paspalum diatatum, and Artemisa absinthium amoung others. "(Piland 2010).
Reproduction
The Screamer is a monogamous species of birds that perform mating dances and, pair bonding behaviors. The pairs construct nests that float out of water loving plants, "such as water hyancinth"(Piland 2010). "The female lays a clutch of 2-7 eggs, with each eggs laid at 2-day intervals"(Piland 2010). The parents share incubation after the clutch is completed. "Juveniles remain with parents for at least one year"(Piland 2010). It is not known how long after the juveniles leave their parents it takes for them to achieve reproduction.
Conservation Concerns
This species is a species of least concern on the IUCN red list but, populations are declining due to habitat degradation and fragmentation.
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Life History
The magpie goose population is stable. It is currently listed as a species of least concern on the IUCN Red list. The population is currently at over 1,000,000 members. (BirdLife 2012)
2. Magpie Goose
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anseranatidae
Anseranas semipalmata
Range
The birds are found only on Australia and neighboring Pacific Islands including New Guinea (Warner 2012)
Habitat
The Magpie goose prefers coastal wetlands including grasslands and swamps. The geese rarley leave coastal areas to move inland. (Warner 2008).
The magpie goose weighs an average of 6.5 pounds. They can have a life span of up to 32 years. The are herbivorous, feeding mostly on seeds from various marsh plants including spike rush. The birds are prey for various species including whistling kites, white-breased sea-eagles, dingoes, water rats, goannas , and Australian brown pythons.Young are hatched after 24 to 35 days of incubation. They remain with the parents until the next breeding season. Two years after hatching the geese are sexually mature and able to form breeding groups. (Wibler 2008)
Reproduction
This species breeds yearly within the months between February to June. Magpie geese rarley breed in a single pair. They normally form groups consisting of one male and two related females.Each female lays a clutch of 3-8 eggs per season. The geese are cooperative breeders, with the two females sharing a nest and parental care with the paired male. (Wibler 2008)
Conservation Concerns
3. Fulvous Whistling Duck
Order:Anseriformes
Family:Anatidae
Tribe: Dendrocygnini
Dendrocygna bicolor
Range
The Fulvous Whistling Duck is found in southern North America and, central to South America. Many of the birds are permanent residents of these areas with some of the birds migrating to Southern Texas and the surrounding areas during the summer to breed(Hohman 2001).
Habitat
The duck prefers freshwater marshes. It frequently inhabits flooded crop lands and grazing pastures. The duck is only found in North America nesting in flooded rice fields.(Holman 2011). The population utilizes southern north america, including California, Texas, Louisiana and, Florida. The ducks breed in these areas and then migrate to Mexico and South America to winter.
Diet
The fulvous duck is a herbivorous dabbling species. (Zeiner 1998)They feed mostly on "grains, seeds, and green shoots of herbs.About 3 % of their diet is insects"(Zeiner 1998). The ducks are nocturnally active. They rest during the day and feed all night. They are active year round. (Zeiner 1998).
Reproduction
The Fulvous duck is a ground nester. It can produce a clutch that averages 12 to 13 eggs. Both parents participate the rearing of the chicks. (DU 2013)
Conservation Concerns
4. Hawaiian Goose (Nene)
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Anserini
Branta sandvicensis
Range
The Hawaiian goose is endemic to Hawaii. It has formally bred on all of the islands of Hawaii but is now only populating Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui. (DU 2013)
Habitat
This species of goose utilize open grasslands close to the coast.
Diet
The birds are herbivorous feeding mostly on leaves, seeds, berries, flowers, herbs and shrubs. They graze like many other species of geese. (DU 2013)
Reproduction
Females normally nest in vegetated beach strands, grasslands, and volcanic substrates. She will typically lay a clutch of 3 eggs. (DU 2013)
Conservation Concerns
This species is listed under the IUCN red list as a vulnerable species. The geese have low numbers because they have problems with habitat degredation and invasive predators. Predators like cats, dogs, rats and, pigs deplete NeNe nests and prevent them from breeding successfully. (IUCN)
5. Aleutian Cackling Goose
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Anserini
Branta hutchinsii
Range
The species is a migratory species the breeds in the Alaskan Aleutian Islands and, winters in California and Mexico. (Sibley 2000)
Habitat
These geese migrate between their winter and breeding grounds make many stopovers.The geese utilize agricultural land and other semi-developed land. They prefer early successional plant communities with low levels of woody plants.
(DU 2013)
(DU 2013)
Diet
They are primarily vegetarians eating old crops and, wetland plants and seeds.
(DU 2013)
(DU 2013)
Reproduction
Aleutian geese nest yearly in strong pairs. They lay a range of 2-8 eggs and a period of 25-28 days. (DU 2013)
Conservation Concerns
This species is listed under the IUCN as a species of least concern. It was recently removed from the Endangered Species list in North America and reclassified as a game species because of exploding population numbers. (IUCN)
6. Black Brant
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Anserini
Branta bernicla nigracans
Range
The black Brant winters along the Pacific Coast from Alaska to Baja, California. It breeds in arctic North America and Russia. .There are two separate American populations one for the Pacific and Atlantic Flyways.
Habitat
Brant geese remain close to the coast because they prefer marine plants as the main point of their diet. They prefer shallow estuaries.
Diet
Brant geese prefer a diet of mostly eel grass.
Reproduction
Eggs are laid in mid June. The birds have an clutch of 4 to 5 eggs. Incubation lasts an average of 23 days and goslings are fledged within 40-45 days. (IUCN)
Conservation Concerns
The IUCN has black brant listed as a species of least concern. Although, Brant populations are in decline with major threats being habitat degradation and hunting(IUCN)
7. Bar-headed Goose
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Anserini
Anser indicus
Range
The bar headed goose in native to southern Asia, wintering in India.
Habitat
This goose prefers rocky inland wetlands and high mountain wetlands.
Conservation Concerns
This species is listed as a species of least concern under the IUCN.
8. Tundra Swan
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Cygnini
Cygnus columbianus
Range
Habitat
The tundra swan utilizes the northern tundras of Canada and Alaska. There are a few resident populations in California and other parts of the western United States.
Diet
They are a vegetarian species. They feed similar to dabbling ducks on aquatic plants.
Reproduction
The tundra swan forms monogamous life time pair bonds. The swan lays a clutch of 2-7 eggs and incubates by herself. The male swan keeps watch for the female. The incubation period is between 29-30 days and the babies are fledged within 45 days. (IUCN)
Conservation Concerns
This species is a species of least concern under the IUCN.
9. Blue Duck
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Merganettini
Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos
Range
Australia and New Zealand.
(Planet of Birds 2013)
(Planet of Birds 2013)
Habitat
This duck is a non-migratory species. This species are freshwater river specialists. They prefer areas with high water quality and little development.
(Planet of Birds 2013)
(Planet of Birds 2013)
Diet
Their main diet consists of freshwater invertebrates.(Planet of Birds 2013)
Reproduction
First breeding can occur at the age of 12 months. Clutch size ranges from 5 to 6 eggs. Incubation is a 35 day period . Males and females form pair bonds and share in the incubation process. Fledglings remain around until they are 70-82 days old.
Conservation Concerns
"This species is listed as Endangered because it has a very small and
severely fragmented population which is undergoing a rapid decline owing
to a variety of factors, most notably the effects of introduced
predators" (IUCN)
10. Egyptian Goose
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Tadornini
Alopochen aegyptiacus
Range
Habitat
Prefers wooded habitats, largely terrestrial species
Diet
Vegetarian, eats mostly seeds leaves and stems. (IUCN)
Reproduction
The bird nests under dense vegetation on the ground near water
Conservation Concerns
The species is listed as a species of least concern under the IUNC, but populations are in decline due to excessive take of the species in it's native range.
11. Wood Duck
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Anatini
Range
The duck is found over most of North America.
Habitat
Wood ducks use forested wetlands with lots of hardwood tree species.(DU 2013)
Diet
They eat a diet of seeds fruits and invertebrates. (DU 2013)
Reproduction
The
species is a cavity nester sometimes nesting in nest boxes. They lay a
clutch size of 12 eggs. They practice nest parasitism, so only female
can have less or more than twelve eggs per clutch. (DU 2013)
Conservation Concerns
This species is listed under the IUNC as a species of least concern. It has population number that are on the rise.
12. Mallard
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Anatini
Anas platyrhynchos
Range
The Mallard is found extensively throughout the entire United States. The largest population of mallards is found in the Prairie Pothole region
Habitat
The Mallard is found extensively through out North American in a variety of wetland habitats including those close by the human development.
Diet
Mallards are vegetarians feeding on seeds, rootlets, and tubers of aquatic plants.(DU 2013)
Reproduction
Mallards nest in cavities or boxes. They lay an average clutch size of 9 eggs.(DU 2013)
Conservation Concerns
This species is listed under the IUCN as a species of least concern. It is considered to be the most abundant waterfowl species in North America. (IUCN)
13. Cinnamon Teal
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Anatini
Anas cyanoptera
Range
The cinnamon teal utilizes western South and Northern America. It breeds in the western United States and winters in Mexico and South America.(DU 2013)
Habitat
This species prefers small, shallow alkaline wetlands with low cover. (DU 2013)
Diet
This duck is a dabbling duck that feeds on aquatic plants, particularly rush seeds, pondweed seeds, and salt grass. They also eat aquatic insects and mollusks.
Reproduction
Nests in grassy areas. Lays a clutch of 8 to 10 eggs.
Conservation Concerns
Listed as a species of least concern on the IUCN list. The species is in decline though due to habitat fragmentation. (IUCN)
14. Canvasback
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Aythyini
Aythya valisineria
Range
Habitat
Prefer permanent prairie marshes surrounded by emergents including bulrush and cattail. (DU 2013)
Diet
Omnivorous species mainly feeds off of aquatic vegetation. Switches to invertebrates and fish in times of low water quality. (Heard and King 2013)
Reproduction
This species is a seasonally monogamous species. They lay an average of 10 eggs per clutch. Nests are often parasitized by Redheads.
Conservation Concerns
This species is a species of least concern on the IUCN list. The population is in decline owing to habitat degradation
15. Redheaded duck
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Aythyini
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Aythya americana
Range
Habitat
These birds prefer a non forested wetland environment with permanent water coverage and dense emergent vegetation. (DU 2013)
Diet
"Redheads dive to feed on seeds, rhizomes, tubers of pondweeds, wild
celery, water lilies, grasses and wild rice. They also feed on
mollusks, aquatic insects and small fish." (DU 2013)
Reproduction
This species likes to nest in dense vegetation. They lay an average clutch size of 7-10 eggs.They frequently parasitize canvasback nests. (DU 2013)
Conservation Concerns
This species is a species of least concern on the IUCN. Their population numbers have been reported to be on the rise. (IUCN)
16. King Eider
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Mergini
Somateria spectabilis
Range
Habitat
Prefer areas with vegetation adjacent to small lakes or ponds
Diet
"King eiders dive great depths to feed on mollusks, crustaceans and
aquatic insects. They also feed on eelgrass, wigeon grass and algae.
There is a record of one king eider feeding on the bottom in 30 fathoms
(180 feet) of water in the Bering Sea." (DU 2013)
Reproduction
The species is a ground nester, generally nesting in dense vegetation near Alaska. They lay an average clutch size of 4 to 5 eggs.
Conservation Concerns
This species is considered threatened under the IUCN red list. It is listed due to chronic oil pollution.
17. Spectacled Eider
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Mergini
Somateria fischeri
Range
Habitat
These bird prefer the coastal tundra of Alaska.
Diet
"Spectacled eiders often feed like dabbling ducks, immersing their
heads in the water and tipping up to forage. They feed primarily on
mollusks and crustaceans in shallow waters and may forage on pelagic or
free-floating amphipods that are concentrated along the
sea-water/pack-ice interface. On coastal breeding grounds, they feed on
freshwater mollusks, small crustaceans, insect larvae, grasses, berries
and seeds. They utilize inland ponds and coastal shallows during brood
rearing to feed on crane flies and caddis fly larvae." (DU 2013)
Reproduction
This species nests in coastal sedge meadows near tundra ponds. They lay an average of 4-5 eggs per clutch.
Conservation Concerns
This species is a species of least concern listed under the IUCN. The population is decreasing due to habitat fragmentation. (IUCN)
18. Harlequin Duck
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Mergini
Histrionicus histrionicus
Range
Habitat
This species prefers coastal habitats, with rocky and mountain terrains.(DU 2013)
Diet
"Harlequin ducks dive to feed on crustaceans and mollusks, insects, small fish and roe found in riverine and marine habitats." (DU 2013)
Reproduction
Females are ground nesters, many times laying their eggs in tree cavities or on small cliffs. They have an average clutch size of 5 -6 eggs. (DU 2013)
Conservation Concerns
This species is listed as a species of least concern on the IUCN list. The global population of this species is in decline.
19. Surf Scoter
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Mergini
Melanitta perspicillata
Range
Habitat
This species prefers shallow lakes and boreal forests in northern Canada and Alaska.
Diet
"The surf scoter feeds mainly on mollusks; crustaceans; aquatic
insects; small fish and on green plant matter such as pondweeds, wild
celery, muskgrass and the seeds of sedges and bulrushes. Rarely diving
in water that exceeds 30 feet deep, they forage in the zone of breaking
waves, easily diving through wave crests." (DU 2013)
Reproduction
This bird prefers to nest in brushy tundra near water. They lay an average of 5-8 eggs.
Conservation Concerns
This species is listed as a species of least concern under the IUCN. The population numbers are decreasing.(IUCN)
20. Common Goldeneye
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Megini
Bucephala clangula americana
Range
Habitat
This species is extremly common around the United States and utilizes a variety of habitat types including inland, coastal, freshwater, and brackish water habitats. (DU 2013)
Diet
"Common goldeneyes use brackish estuarine and saltwater bays and deep
freshwater habitats in the winter and dive to feed on a wide variety of
available animal life. In inland areas during the summer and fall, they
feed on aquatic insects, crustaceans and aquatic plants. Along coastal
wintering grounds they feed largely on crustaceans, mollusks, small
fishes and some plant material."(DU 2013)
Reproduction
This species nests near water but nests can be found over a mile away from water. These birds prefer to nest in cavities and have been known to utilize nest boxes. This species lays an average of 9 eggs.
Conservation Concerns
This species is listed as a species of lest concern on the IUCN list. The population numbers are stable.
21. Bufflehead
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Mergini
Bucephala albeola
Range
Habitat
This species is found readily throughout North America. The birds prefer large lakes or major river systems. (DU 2013)
Diet
These are diving ducks that eat a variety of plants and aquatic invertebrates.
Reproduction
Bufflehead utilize cavities to nest in near lakes and deep ponds associated with temperate woodlands. This species has an average clutch size of 9 eggs. (DU 2013)
Conservation Concerns
This species is listed as a species of least concern under the IUCN list. The population numbers are increasing.
22. Common Mergansar
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Mergini
Mergus merganser americanus
Range
Habitat
This waterfowl species is a river specialist. It requires permanent flowing water to maintain it's species of prey.
Diet
" Common mergansers eat mainly fish, amphibians, crustaceans, mollusks and
other invertebrates obtained by diving underwater in marine and
freshwater habitats." (DU 2013)
Reproduction
This species nests in cavities and crevices near rivers in forest and mountain areas. They lay an average of 9 to 12 eggs per clutch.
Conservation Concerns
This species is listed as a species of least concern under the IUCN list.
23. Hooded Mergansar
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Mergini
Lophodytes cucullatus
Range
Habitat
This waterfowl species is a river specialist. It requires permanent flowing water to maintain it's species of prey.
Diet
"Hooded mergansers dive in fresh water to feed on small fish, crayfish and other crustaceans and aquatic insects."(DU 2013)
Reproduction
Hooded mergansers prefer forested wetlands. They nest in cavities and lay an average of 9-11 eggs. (DU 2013)
Conservation Concerns
This species is listed as a species of least concern on the IUCN list.
24. Ruddy Duck
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Tribe: Oxyurini
Oxyura jamaicensis
Range
Habitat
This duck utilizes inland wetland in the Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, and Baja california.
Diet
" Ruddy ducks dive to feed on pondweeds, algae and wild
celery, as well as the seeds of sedges, smartweeds and grasses. They
also eat aquatic insects and their larvae, shellfish and crustaceans.
During the breeding season they feed mainly on invertebrates, primarily
chironomid larvae and pupae." (DU 2013)
Reproduction
"Ruddy duck females lay an average of 8 eggs and construct nests in cattail and bulrush over water." (DU 2013)
Conservation concern
This is a species of least concern on the IUCN list.
Biblography
2010. Fulvous Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor), Neotropical
Birds Online (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of
Ornithology; retrieved from Neotropical Birds Online:
http://neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/portal/species/overview?p_p_spp=64696
Batouli, A. 2007. "Branta sandvicensis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed March 28, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Branta_sandvicensis/
BirdLife International 2012. Anseranas semipalmata. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 28 March 2013.
BirdLife International 2012. Crypturellus atrocapillus. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 27 March 2013.
Ducks Unlimited. Waterfowl Identification. <http://www.ducks.org/hunting/waterfowl-id/> May 14, 2013
Heard, A. and King T. Canvasback. Humboldt State University Moodle Website.<http://learn.humboldt.edu/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=24599>
Hohman, W. L., and S. A. Lee. 2001. Fulvous Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor). In The Birds of North America, No. 562 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.
Heard, A. and King T. Canvasback. Humboldt State University Moodle Website.<http://learn.humboldt.edu/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=24599>
Hohman, W. L., and S. A. Lee. 2001. Fulvous Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor). In The Birds of North America, No. 562 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.
Piland, Natalia. 2010. Horned Screamer (Anhima cornuta), Neotropical Birds Online (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; retrieved from Neotropical Birds Online: http://neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/portal/species/overview?p_p_spp=63796
Sibley. D.A. .2000. "The Sibley Guide to Birds" Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
Wilber, R. 2008. "Anseranas semipalmata" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed March 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Anseranas_semipalmata/
Zeiner, D.C., W.F.Laudenslayer, Jr., K.E. Mayer, and M. White, eds. 1988-1990. California's Wildlife. Vol. I-III. California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento, California.
