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 3 species which occur in the Cook Islands.
- Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
- Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa
- Northern Pintail Anas acuta
Read more about this topic: List Of Birds Of The Cook Islands
Famous quotes containing the words geese and/or swans:
“the clanging chains
of geese are harnessed to the moon:”
—Roy Campbell (1902–1957)
“I know of the sleepy country, where swans fly round
Coupled with golden chains, and sing as they fly.
A king and a queen are wandering there, and the sound
Has made them so happy and hopeless, so deaf and so blind
With wisdom, they wander till all the years have gone by....”
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)