Family Anatidae
True ducks – very diverse
All continents except Antartica
Vary in feeding mode (divers, boppers, fish eaters, shellfish fishers, etc)
Different sizes
Swans – monogamous; swift-tailed ducks polygamous
Duck chicks are precotial, only cared for by 1 sex
Has a phallus
Family Anseranatidae
Magpie Geese
Pied black and white pattern, prominent knob
Semi-webbed feet
Endemic to Australia
Molt – drop all the flight feathers at once and will be flightless for 4-7 weeks (like true ducks)
Unpredictable life styles
Family Anhimidae
“screamers”
large unwebbed toes, good swimmers
overt wing weapons – spikes on carpometacarpus
South American – large lakes and grassland swamps
Territorial and monogamous, biparental care.
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