Mallard Duck Anseriformes

Subfamilies:
  1. Screamers
  2. Ducks
  3. Geese
  4. Swans
  5. Scoters
  6. Mergansers
  7. Scaups
  8. Teals
  9. Eiders

2. Anseriformes (Screamers, Ducks, Geese, Swans)

All Anseriformes have this basic structure, but many have subsequently adopted alternative feeding strategies: geese graze on plants, the saw-billed ducks catch fish; even the screamers, which have bills that seem on first sight more like those of the game birds, still have vestigal lamellae. The Anatidae are the biological family of birds that includes ducks, geese and swans. The family has a cosmopolitan distribution, occurring on all the world's continents. These are birds that are adapted through evolution for swimming, floating on the water surface, and in some cases diving in at least shallow water. The family contains around 146 species in 40 genera. 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.

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Mallard Duck