Ducks, Geese and Swans
Order: Anseriformes. Family: Anatidae
The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These are birds that are modified for an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating. There are about 131 species worldwide and 49 species which occur in Ireland plus two in Category D.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Mute Swan | Cygnus olor | |
| Whooper Swan | Cygnus cygnus | |
| Bewick's Swan | Cygnus columbianus | |
| Bean Goose | Anser fabalis | |
| Pink-footed Goose | Anser brachyrhynchus | |
| Greater White-fronted Goose | Anser albifrons | |
| Lesser White-fronted Goose | Anser erythropus | (A) |
| Greylag Goose | Anser anser | |
| Snow Goose | Chen caerulescens | (A) |
| Brent Goose | Branta bernicla | |
| Barnacle Goose | Branta leucopsis | |
| Canada Goose | Branta canadensis | (A, I) |
| Cackling Goose | Branta hutchinsii | (A) |
| Red-breasted Goose | Branta ruficollis | (Cat. D1) |
| Ruddy Shelduck | Tadorna ferruginea | (A) |
| Common Shelduck | Tadorna tadorna | |
| Mandarin Duck | Aix galericulata | (I) |
| Eurasian Wigeon | Anas penelope | |
| American Wigeon | Anas americana | (A) |
| Gadwall | Anas strepera | |
| Baikal Teal | Anas formosa | (Cat. D1) |
| Green-winged Teal | Anas carolinensis | (A) |
| Common Teal | Anas crecca | |
| Mallard | Anas platyrhynchos | |
| American Black Duck | Anas rubripes | (A) |
| Northern Pintail | Anas acuta | |
| Garganey | Anas querquedula | |
| Blue-winged Teal | Anas discors | (A) |
| Northern Shoveler | Anas clypeata | |
| Red-crested Pochard | Netta rufina | (A) |
| Common Pochard | Aythya ferina | |
| Redhead | Aythya americana | (A) |
| Ring-necked Duck | Aythya collaris | (A) |
| Ferruginous Duck | Aythya nyroca | (A) |
| Tufted Duck | Aythya fuligula | |
| Greater Scaup | Aythya marila | |
| Lesser Scaup | Aythya affinis | (A) |
| Common Eider | Somateria mollissima | |
| King Eider | Somateria spectabilis | (A) |
| Long-tailed Duck | Clangula hyemalis | |
| Common Scoter | Melanitta nigra | |
| Surf Scoter | Melanitta perspicillata | (A) |
| Velvet Scoter | Melanitta fusca | |
| Common Goldeneye | Bucephala clangula | |
| Barrow's Goldeneye | Bucephala islandica | (A) |
| Bufflehead | Bucephala albeola | (A) |
| Smew | Mergellus albellus | |
| Hooded Merganser | Lophodytes cucullatus | (A) |
| Red-breasted Merganser | Mergus serrator | |
| Goosander | Mergus merganser | |
| Ruddy Duck | Oxyura jamaicensis | (I) |
Read more about this topic: List Of Birds Of Ireland
Famous quotes containing the words geese and/or swans:
“As it grew darker, I was startled by the honking of geese flying low over the woods, like weary travellers getting in late from Southern lakes, and indulging at last in unrestrained complaint and mutual consolation. Standing at my door, I could hear the rush of their wings; when, driving toward my house, they suddenly spied my light, and with hushed clamor wheeled and settled in the pond. So I came in, and shut the door, and passed my first spring night in the woods.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Let the long contention cease! Geese are swans, and swans are geese. Let them have it how they will! Thou art tired; best be still.”
—Matthew Arnold (1822–1888)