Page 91 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

WILDFOWL
Family Anatidae
WILDFOWL

HIS LARGE GROUP OF water birds splits
Tinto clear groups, with a few “in between”
species.They have webbed feet, rather short but
specialized bills, and swim well, although many
spend much of their time on dry land.

DUCKS
The two main groups are surface feeders (or
dabbling ducks) and diving ducks.The former
feed on land or from the water surface (sieving
food through their bills, gleaning grain, plucking
vegetation),sometimes tipping over (“upending”) SEA DUCK
but rarely diving.The diving ducks feed beneath The Eider is a marine bird in the
north and west of Europe, feeding
the surface, diving as they swim (not plunging largely on seabed shellfish.
from the air): some are animal feeders, others
vegetarian; some species feed at night.

SHELDUCKS
A few large species fall between ducks and
geese, with an easy walk and rather long legs
and neck, but in other respects they are more
like the true ducks. THROBBING WINGS
The Mute Swan makes a unique
SWANS humming noise with its wings
GEESE European swans are while flying.
Geese are mostly large and terrestrial, feeding on all-white when adult
dry land or marshes but returning to water (a lake (elsewhere there are black and white species).
or the sea) each night for a safe roost.They are They are longer-necked than the geese, tending
social, flying in large flocks with loud, evocative to be more aquatic, but also feed extensively on
calls – among the finest sights in Europe in winter. drier ground, often in mixed flocks.

LAND OR WATER
Ducks like Wigeon feed on grassy
areas and in shallow water, easily
slipping between the two. They
are highly gregarious.

89