Ornithology/Anseriformes

Main article: Ornithology

Anseriformes is an order containing ducks, geese, and swans.

Ducks, Geese, and Swans (Anatidae)

The family Anatidae consists of medium-sized to large waterbirds, including ducks, geese, and swans. There are 10 species in this family on the 2020 Official Bird List. Most members of this family are distinguished by large, horizontally flattened bills, longs necks, short tails, and webbed feet. They have lammellae in their bills which aids in filter feeding. Young of this family are precocial. These birds have often been used for hunting and food. The feathers are used to stuff beds, pillows, etc.

Ducks

Ducks are a mostly aquatic assemblage of sub-families of Anatidae. Ducks differ from geese and swans in several ways. They are smaller, have shorter necks, exhibit sexual dimorphism, do not exhibit strong pair bonding, and have nostrils placed higher on their bills. Ducks have a structure on the side of their beak that serves as a comb to filter food and aid in preening. Ducks either dabble or dive. Diving ducks swim below the surface to forage. Dabbling ducks feed on the surface of water and stick their heads underwater to collect vegetation near the surface. The only duck that requires a call in the 2020 season is the mallard, however in previous years the black-bellied whistling duck required one as well (found here).

Black-bellied Whistling Duck Species Dendrocygna autumnalis Habitat Freshwater ponds, lakes, and marshes Diet Plants, seeds, and invertebrates Conservation Least concern	Wood Duck Species Aix sponsa Habitat Freshwater ponds, lakes, rivers, and marshes Diet Seeds, fruits, invertebrates Conservation Least concern
Mallard Species Anas platyrhynchos Habitat Freshwater ponds, lakes, and marshes Diet Plants, arthropods, and aquatic invertebrates Call Link Conservation Least concern	Northern Shoveler Species Anas clypeata Habitat Shallow wetlands, also freshwater and saline marshes Diet Small swimming invertebrates, some seeds Conservation Least concern
Green-winged Teal Species Anas crecca Habitat Shallow waters and small ponds an pools Diet Seeds, stems, and leaves Conservation Least concern

Diving Ducks

Diving ducks are similar in appearance to dabbling ducks. However, instead of dabbling they actually dive under water for their food. They belong to the subfamily Aythyinae. They are commonly called pochards and scaups. There is one diving duck on the Science Olympiad bird list.

Canvasback Species Aythya valisineria Habitat Prairie potholes Diet Seeds, buds, leaves, tubers, roots, snails, and insect larvae Conservation Least concern

Geese

Geese are a division of the family Anatidae. They are generally in between the sizes of the other two main groups- they are larger than the ducks, but smaller than the swans. They exhibit strong pair bonding, but unlike most monogamous species, are only territorial during the breeding season. The paired individuals are more dominant and eat more, contributing to them having more offspring. There are two geese on the Science Olympiad bird list.

Snow Goose Species Chen caerulescens Habitat Nest in subarctic and arctic, winters in coastal marshes, bays, and wet grasslands. Diet Water plants, grasses, and grain. Conservation Least concern

Canada Goose Species Branta canadensis Habitat Marsh, grassy fields, grain fields Diet Grasses, sedges, berries, seeds Conservation Least concern

Swans

Swans are the largest of the three types of birds in Anatidae, and are among the largest flying birds. They are much more closely related to geese than ducks, and are grouped with geese in the subfamily Anserinae. They are not sexually dimorphic in plumage, but males are usually larger than females. Their plumage is all white in the Northern Hemisphere, but they can be a mix of black and white in the Southern Hemisphere. They generally live in temperate environments. They are almost entirely herbivorous. Swans mate for life, and may lay 3-8 eggs in a clutch. There is one swan on the Science Olympiad bird list.

Trumpeter Swan Species Cygnus buccinator Habitat Shallow ponds and rivers Diet Aquatic plants Call Link Conservation Least concern

Sea Ducks

As their common name implies, the members of the subfamily Merginae are usually marine. Some mergansers prefer river habitats. They usually eat aquatic life. There have been 4 sea ducks on the Science Olympiad bird list in the past, but for the 2020 season there is only one.

Hooded Merganser Species Lophodytes cucullatus Habitat Forested wetlands Diet Fish, aquatic insects, and crustaceans Conservation Least concern

Previous Birds Cinnamon Teal Species Anas cyanoptera Habitat Wetlands Diet Plants, seeds, and invertebrates Conservation Least concern Common Eider Species Somateria mollissima Habitat Ocean, sometimes lagoons and ponds along coast Diet Aquatic invertebrates, especially mollusks, crustaceans, and sea urchins Conservation Least concern Surf Scoter Species Melanitta perspicillata Habitat Shallow lakes and ocean waters Diet Freshwater invertebrates, especially mollusks Conservation Least concern Long-tailed Duck Species Clangula hyemalis Habitat Ponds, streams, wetland, and open ocean Diet Mostly aquatic invertebrates, including insects and crustaceans, with some bivalves and plant matter Conservation Least concern