Anatidae
Sign in to saveThe Anatidae are the biological family of water birds that includes ducks, geese, and swans. The family has a cosmopolitan distribution, occurring on all the world's continents except Antarctica. These birds are adapted for swimming, floating on the water surface, and, in some cases, diving in at least shallow water. The family contains around 174 species in 43 genera (the magpie goose is no longer considered to be part of the Anatidae and is now placed in its own family, Anseranatidae).
AI overview
Anatidae is the family of water birds that includes ducks, geese, and swans, found on every continent except Antarctica. These birds are specially adapted for swimming and floating on water, and the family contains around 174 species that play important roles in aquatic ecosystems worldwide.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Taxonomy · GBIF
FAMILY
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumChordata
- ClassAves
- OrderAnseriformes
- FamilyAnatidae
via GBIF · CC0
Article
12 sectionsContents
- Description and ecology
- Breeding
- Relationship with humans
- Systematics
- History of classification
- Genera
- Prehistoric species
- Fossil Anatidae
- See also
- References
- Further reading
- External links
The Anatidae are the biological family of water birds that includes ducks, geese, and swans. The family has a cosmopolitan distribution, occurring on all the world's continents except Antarctica. These birds are adapted for swimming, floating on the water surface, and, in some cases, diving in at least shallow water. The family contains around 174 species in 43 genera (the magpie goose is no longer considered to be part of the Anatidae and is now placed in its own family, Anseranatidae).
They are generally herbivorous and are monogamous breeders. A number of species undertake annual migrations. A few species have been domesticated for agriculture, and many others are hunted for food and recreation. Five species have become extinct since 1600, and many more are threatened with extinction.