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Collection  >  Order (Birds)  >  Order Information (Anseriformes)

Anseriformes

Anseriformes, Latin ānser (“goose”) and Latin -fōrmis (“-shaped”), means “goose-shaped”, in reference to the fact that these animals are all goose-shaped and goose-related.

Ducks, geese, swans, and screamers

DISTRIBUTION

Photos

Worldwide, except for the Antarctic region and extremely arid regions on the Sahara and Arabian deserts.

SIZE

They range in size from 26.5 cm long and 164 g in weight to 183 cm long and 17.2 kg in weight.

MORPHOLOGY

Their main body plan is broad and elongated. Diver species differ from this in that they are more rounded. Strong wing muscles that produce quick beats during flight support the short, pointed wings. Although the length of their necks varies according to the species, they usually have long necks. The legs are powerful, small, and positioned far behind the body (especially in aquatic species). They also have a scaly, leathery texture. Except for a few species that have lost their webbing, their feet are always webbed. The skin on top of the soft keratin bills is thin and sensitive, giving them a leathery feel to the touch. The majority of species exhibit a more rounded bill shape, either somewhat or significantly. In the filter-feeding species, these have very well-defined serrated lamellae. Because of unique oils in their feathers, they shed water exceptionally well.

Total species known

178

Species in the collection

11

Species in Hong Kong

39

ECOLOGY & HABITAT

Wetlands and marshes with some grass, as well as lakes, ponds, streams, rivers and swamps.

DIET

As adults, they mostly consume a variety of water plants, while certain species also consume fish, mollusks, and aquatic arthropods.

REPRODUCTION

They are typically monogamous and seasonal breeders. Monogamy level varies across species.

REFERENCES

Lovette, I. J., Fitzpatrick, J. W. (2016). Handbook of Bird Biology. Wiley-Blackwell.
Gill, F. B., Prum, R. O. (2019). Ornithology. W.H. Freeman & Co. Ltd.

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