Waterfowl

Waterfowl is a general term used for members of the family Anatidae, composed of closely allied species commonly known as DUCKS, GEESE and SWANS. Scientists divide the family into 3 subfamilies, 2 of which are found in North America. The third, the primitive Australian Anseranatinae, contains the magpie geese (Anseranas semipalmata), which are not true geese.

Waterfowl have worldwide distribution and contain flightless species as well as others capable of long migrations. Some species, eg, northern pintail (Anas acuta), have very wide distribution; others are restricted to a few ponds on remote islands. Three species of swans, 5 of geese and 29 of ducks breed in Canada.

Waterfowl range in size from pygmy geese (Nettapus ssp.), averaging 300 g when fully grown, to North American trumpeter swans (Cygnus buccinator), exceeding 13 kg and having a wingspread of 250 cm.

In late summer as many as 80-100 million waterfowl are found in North America. Unfortunately, one duck species native to eastern Canada, the Labrador duck (Camptorhynchus labradorius), is now extinct.

Author F.G. COOCH

Links to Other Sites
All About Birds
Search this online bird identification guide for information on specific bird species found in North America. Click on the dynamic map of eBird sightings for a magnified view. From the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in the US.

Canadian Biodiversity Website
A great information source for all budding biologists. Learn about biodiversity theory, natural history, and conservation issues. From McGill’s Redpath Museum.

Glossary: Veterinary Medicine
A glossary of terms related to veterinary medicine. From Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine.

Hinterland Who's Who
Check out the extensive "Hinterland Who's Who" website for illustrated "Species Fact Sheets" about mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects found in Canada. Also covers related conservation and biodiversity issues and includes related multimedia and educational resources. From the Canadian Wildlife Service and the Canadian Wildlife Federation.

Species at Risk Public Registry
A searchable database of Canadian species at risk. Provides illustrated natural histories of each species as well as information about recovery programs, a glossary, and more. From Environment Canada.

Bird Studies Canada
The website for “Bird Studies Canada,” an organization dedicated to preserving wild birds and their habitats. Search this site for the latest information on bird sightings and populations, checklists and maps, species at risk, and more.

The Atlas of Alberta Lakes
A comprehensive guide to the water quality, natural history, and human activity associated with major lakes in the Province of Alberta. Published in 1990. Click on "Quick Search" and the interactive map for links to specific lakes.

Abundant Canada geese a menace
A article about the impacts of the exploding growth of North American resident geese populations across Canada. From the Vancouver Sun.

Prairie Shores Program
An information website for the Prairie Shores Program. Focuses on the management of native grassland and wetland habitats for resident bird populations in the Quill Lakes region. From the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority.

Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network
The website for the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network, a conservation program that aims to protect key shorebird habitats in the Americas. Click on the links for profiles of specific sites throughout Canada.

Important Bird Areas in Canada
An extensive database of key facts and maps about bird populations, habitat types, and land use activities associated with Important Bird Areas across Canada. To search the database, click on "IBA database." Then, click on the "Show IBA List" button to see a list of these locations.

Evidence for Conserving Biofilm for Higher-level Organisms
A summary of research into the importance of conserving biofilm found on mud flats and other aquatic environments. From Environment Canada.