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 159 species worldwide and 29 species which occur in Malta.
- Mute Swan Cygnus olor (A)
- Bean Goose Anser fabalis (A)
- Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons (A)
- Greylag Goose Anser anser (A)
- Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis (A)
- Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus (A)
- Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea (A)
- Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna
- Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope
- Falcated Duck Anas falcata (A)
- Gadwall Anas strepera
- Baikal Teal Anas formosa (A)
- Eurasian Teal Anas crecca
- Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
- Northern Pintail Anas acuta
- Garganey Anas querquedula
- Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata
- Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris (A)
- Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina (A)
- Common Pochard Aythya ferina
- Ferruginous Pochard Aythya nyroca
- Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula (A)
- Greater Scaup Aythya marila (A)
- Black Scoter Melanitta nigra (A)
- Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula (A)
- Smew Mergellus albellus (A)
- Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator
- Common Merganser Mergus merganser (A)
- White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala (A)
Read more about this topic: List Of Birds Of Malta
Famous quotes containing the words geese and/or swans:
“They yelleden as fiendes doon in hell;
The duckes cryden as men would them quell;
The geese for feare flewen over the trees;
Out of the hive came the swarm of bees.”
—Geoffrey Chaucer (1340?–1400)
“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)