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 131 species worldwide and 21 species which occur in Niger.
- Fulvous Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna bicolor
- White-faced Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna viduata
- White-backed Duck Thalassornis leuconotus
- Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons (A)
- Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus
- Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna
- Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis
- Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos
- African Pygmy-goose Nettapus auritus
- Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope
- Gadwall Anas strepera
- Eurasian Teal Anas crecca
- Cape Teal Anas capensis
- Mallard Anas platyrhynchos (A)
- Northern Pintail Anas acuta
- Hottentot Teal Anas hottentota
- Garganey Anas querquedula
- Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata
- Common Pochard Aythya ferina
- Ferruginous Pochard Aythya nyroca
- Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula
Read more about this topic: List Of Birds Of Niger
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)
“Clogged and soft and sloppy eyes
Have lost the light that bites or terrifies.
There are no swans and swallows any more.
The people settled for chicken and shut the door.”
—Gwendolyn Brooks (b. 1917)