View allAll Photos Tagged Anseriformes
Whooper Swan ( Cygnus cygnus ). 27.4.2017, Tornio, Finland.
Copyright © 2017 Matti Suopajärvi. All rights reserved.
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[order] Anseriformes | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Branta canadensis | [UK] Canada Goose | [FR] Bernache du Canada | [DE] Kanadagans | [ES] Barnacla Canadiense | [IT] Oca del Canada | [NL] Grote Canadese Gans
Measurements
spanwidth min.: 160 cm
spanwidth max.: 175 cm
size min.: 90 cm
size max.: 100 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 28 days
incubation max.: 30 days
fledging min.: 40 days
fledging max.: 48 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 4
eggs max.: 7
Physical characteristics
Many people can recognize a Canada Goose Branta canadensis by its characteristic black head, white cheek patches, and long black neck. However, there are several different races, so a Canada Goose in one region may be quite different from a Canada Goose in another. Although there has been some disagreement about the exact number of races of Canada Geese, most scientists believe that there are 11.
Members of the different races range in size from one of the smallest geese, the Cackling Canada Goose, which can weigh as little as 1.1 kg, to the largest of all geese, the Giant Canada Goose, which can weigh up to 8 kg. Wingspans vary between about 90 cm and 2 m. The underparts range in colour from light pearl-grey to chestnut, and even blackish brown. Differences in body proportions, particularly the relative length of the neck, the body shape, and the body stance, further distinguish the different races. In general, the larger the bird, the longer the neck and the more elongated the body.
Newly hatched Canada Geese have a coat of yellow to olive down that darkens to dull grey over the first few weeks of life. As the birds grow, feathers gradually cover the down, and by the time the young geese are ready to fly in late summer, they are nearly indistinguishable from their parents. From that point on, both males and females look the same throughout the year.
Habitat
You can find Canada Geese on almost any type of wetland, from small ponds to large lakes and rivers. However, Canada Geese spend as much or more time on land as they do in water.
Canada Geese breed in a wide range of habitats. They prefer low-lying areas with great expanses of wet grassy meadows and an abundance of ponds and lakes that serve as refuges from foxes and other land predators. The most northerly geese breed on the treeless tundra of the Arctic. Below the treeline, the geese nest in the open boreal forest, with its scattered stands of stunted spruce and tamarack. Nesting Canada Geese are at home in many places, from sheltered mountain streams and prairie pothole ponds to golf courses and urban parks. During fall and winter, Canada Geese favour agricultural land where vast fields of cereal grains and other crops provide abundant food and relative safety from predators.
Other details
This species from North America has been introduced in England since the middle of the 17th century and in Sweden since 1933. It has now colonised northern France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. The population of the European Union is totalling 30000-35000 breeding pairs, and, despite being considered a pest in many areas, it is still introduced in some new areas
Feeding
Unlike many waterfowl species that feed mainly in aquatic environments, Canada Geese feed mostly on land. In spring and summer, they mostly graze on the leaves of grassy plants, but they also eat a wide variety of leaves, flowers, stems, roots, seeds, and berries. The geese must consume large quantities of food to obtain the nutrients they need, and they frequently spend 12 hours a day or more feeding. During the winter, Canada Geese often feed in fields where they find an abundance of spilled corn, oats, soybeans, and other crops. When such energy-rich foods are available, they often feed in the fields for a few hours in early morning and late afternoon and spend the rest of the day resting in safety on a lake or large river. Some Canada Geese graze on lawns, in parks, and on golf courses.
Spring is a very energetically demanding time in a goose's life, especially for breeding females. Canada Geese feed intensively during the few weeks before they leave southern agricultural areas to prepare for a period with little food when they first arrive on the northern breeding grounds. They will need sufficient reserves of fat and protein to complete migration, produce a clutch of eggs, and survive for about one month of incubation.
Conservation
Branta canadensis has a large range, breeding across tundra in much of Canada, Alaska (USA), and parts of the northern USA, and wintering in southern North America, including Mexico. Introduced populations are now resident in much of the USA south of the normal breeding range, as well as in a number of western European countries. It has an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of >10,000,000 km2, and has a correspondingly large global population, estimated at 1,000,000-10,000,000 individuals. Although hunting and other direct mortality takes a substantial toll, this species has increased its range and population since the 1940s1, and is thus evaluated as Least Concern. [conservation status from birdlife.org]
Breeding
The Canada Geese breed earlier in the season than many birds. Breeding is timed so that the eggs hatch when the plants that the goslings, or young geese, eat have their highest nutritional value. The hatch date also allows enough time for the goslings to grow big enough to fly south before freeze-up. Canada Geese that breed in temperate areas, with mild temperatures, begin nesting as soon as conditions are favourable in spring, in some cases as early as mid-March. Canada Geese that breed in the north reach nesting areas in late April or early May, later for Arctic breeders.
Some Canada Geese breed when they are one year old, but the vast majority do not nest for the first time until they are at least two or three. Usually five to seven eggs are laid, with older birds producing more eggs than birds nesting for the first time. The female incubates the eggs for 25 to 28 days while the male stands guard nearby. In some cases, he may be several hundred metres from the nest but is always vigilant and joins the female if the nest is threatened or if she leaves the nest. During the incubation period the female leaves the nest only briefly each day to feed and drink and bathe.
Most nest sites are located near water and often on islands. Nest sites are chosen to offer some protection from exposure to wind while giving the incubating female a clear line of sight to detect approaching predators. Female Canada Geese always return to nest in the same area where their parents nested and often use the same nest site year after year.
Soon after the young have hatched, families leave their nests, sometimes walking several kilometres in a few days to reach their brood-rearing area. If the geese have nested near the seacoast, they may descend the rivers to more favourable coastal marsh areas. From the moment they leave the nest, goslings feed on grasses and sedges in meadows and along shorelines.
A pair and its goslings are an almost inseparable troupe, acting in unison. Usually the female leads the way, followed by the young, with the gander, or male, bringing up the rear. When another goose family ventures too close, both the parents and young assume threatening postures and make a lot of noise. Numbers and not the size or weight of the adults seems to be decisive-large families almost always defeat small families, which in turn defeat pairs without young. Most encounters are settled without physical contact, and prolonged fights are rare.
From six to nine weeks after hatching, depending on the race, the birds are ready to take to the air as a family unit. By this time, only about half of the goslings that hatched still survive. In the north, Canada Geese feed on berries and put on a layer of fat before their southward migration. Prior to migration, the families come together into groups of a few to several dozen families, often in coastal areas. The last of the Canada Geese linger along northern shores until early October.
Migration
Spring migration for northern-breeding geese begins in late winter and may take several weeks to complete. The geese move slowly northward following the advancing line of melting snow. They make several feeding stops at key areas along the way to build up reserves that will be needed for the final leg of migration and reproduction.
Fall migration begins when the water and soil begin to freeze on the breeding grounds. The trip from breeding to wintering areas is faster than the spring flight north. For example, many Atlantic population Canada Geese travel more than 1 000 km from their breeding grounds in northern Quebec to the main wintering area along the United States eastern seaboard in less than a week. In fact, scientists have tracked some geese marked with radio transmitters that have completed the trip in just one day! Families with goslings migrating south for the first time probably take longer than adults without goslings.
In addition to the annual migration from breeding to wintering grounds, Canada Geese sometimes undertake a special voyage called a moult migration. Every year, geese must replace their worn-out flight feathers. The feathers are replaced all at once, so the geese cannot fly during the four- to five-week moulting period. The best places for the geese during this time are those with lots of open water where the birds can seek refuge if threatened and where they may find a good supply of the protein-rich food needed for growing new feathers. Most of the geese that don't breed during the season undertake this migration, which usually involves travelling north, often well beyond the normal breeding range, between late May and early June. Successful breeders moult later in the season, remaining with their young goslings, which have not begun to fly. Feral populations mostly sedentary.
The heaviest living bird native to North America.
Chippewa County, Michigan, USA.
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Greylag Goose,
Order - Anseriformes, Family - Anatidae, Species, - Anser anser,
Of all grey geese, the Grey lag ( the direct ancestor of the domestic goose ) most resembles the farmyard goose.
It is also the most easily seen grey goose in the UK because it has been introduced in many lowland areas where sizeable flocks are now semi-tame and resident all year round.
Winter visitors are still wild and shy.
In much of eastern and central Europe, the Greylag is naturally resident in extensive marshes,
Voice, - Loud, clattering, and honking notes like farmyard bird, ahng-ahng-ahng,kang-ank,
Nesting, - Sparsely lined ground nest, often on island; 4 - 6 eggs; 1 brood; May - June.
Feeding, - Grazes; plucks-grass and cereal shoots, digs for roots and waste grain,
Length, - 74 - 84 cm ( 29 - 33 in ),
Wingspan, - 1.49 - 1.68 m ( 5f - 5f 6in ),
Weight - 2.9 - 3.7kg,
Lifespan, - 15 - 20 years,
Social - Flocks,
Status, - Secure,.
Ballynacarriga Lake,
Co.Cork Ireland 01-12-2018
[order] Anseriformes | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Bucephala albeola | [UK] Bufflehead | [FR] Garrot albéole | [DE] Büffelkopfente | [ES] Porrón albeola | [IT] Quattrochi minore | [NL] Buffelkopeend
spanwidth min.: 53 cm
spanwidth max.: 56 cm
size min.: 32 cm
size max.: 38 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 28 days
incubation max.: 33 days
fledging min.: 49 days
fledging max.: 56 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 5
eggs max.: 13
Physical characteristics
The Bufflehead Bucephala albeola is Canada's smallest diving duck. Strikingly patterned in black and white, and constantly active, it attracts attention out of proportion to its relatively small numbers. Buffleheads are compactly built birds, with males, or drakes, averaging 450 g in weight and females about 340 g. During their migrations they are much heavier, with up to 115 g of stored fat as fuel for their travels. Hunters sometimes call these fat birds "butterballs." Adult males are black above and white below, with bright pink feet. They wear a white "shawl" around the back of the head, and a broad white band extends from front to back across each wing. The females and first-year males are more drab, with the dark areas sooty-grey or brownish rather than black, and the white areas duller and smaller in size than in adult males. Like their near relatives, the goldeneyes and mergansers, Bufflehead males do not attain adult plumage until their second winter, and first breed when nearly two years old.
Habitat
During the breeding season, the Bufflehead is found primarily within the boreal forest. where it nests in tree cavities withinlarge diameter poplar and aspen trees near small permanent freshwater ponds. During migration and in winter, the species frequents inland lakes and rivers but occurs in highest numbers in sheltered saltwater bays and coves along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
Other details
Buffleheads occur from coast to coast, though they are seldom numerous. In spring and summer, most breed in British Columbia east of the coast ranges and in the northern half of Alberta, although small numbers occur east to Ontario or even Quebec, and north to the southern parts of Alaska, Yukon, and Mackenzie. In winter, they are common on Canada's west coast and regular in favoured spots around Lake Ontario and the southern coasts of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. However, the majority winter in the United States, from New Jersey to North Carolina in the east, and from Washington to central California in the west.
Feeding
Buffleheads feed by diving into sheltered, shallow water. Only the downy young will dabble at the surface. Buffleheads will feed in open water and along edges of emergent vegetation, preferring not to dive through emergent or dense submergent vegetation. They will commonly remain under water for 15-25 seconds with pauses of 5-10 seconds between dives. During the non-breeding season, Buffleheads dive and feed as a group. Invertebrates such as dragonflies, caddis flies, water boatmen, damselflies, mayflies, nymphs and midge larvae dominate the Bufflehead's summer diet. Buffleheads wintering in saltwater areas feed primarily on crustaceans, mollusks, and fish.
Conservation
This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 1,000,000-10,000,000 km2. It breeds over much of south-east Siberia, Russia, south to northern Mongolia, China, and Japan. It has a large global population estimated to be 35,000 individuals, with the majority of birds spending the non-breeding season in Japan (9,000), North Korea and South Korea (2,000), and China. It also regularly winters in small numbers in Bangladesh, north-east India, Nepal (rare and irregular), Taiwan, and northern Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam (very rare visitor), with vagrants recorded from Afghanistan, Bulgaria, Canada, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Malta, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Turkey, and the Aleutian Islands of the United States. Escapes from waterfowl collections mask the extent of vagrancy to western Europe. The species appears to be declining in southern China, remaining common only in Dongting Hu, Hunan Province. Of 14,763 individual counted in a 2005 survey of China, 13,605 were in Hunan Province, and 970 in Hubei Province. Populations in Japan and Korea appear to have remained stable or declined only slightly. It also appears to have become less frequent in Nepal. [conservation status from birdlife.org]
Breeding
Buffleheads reach sexual maturity when they are about 2 years old. Pair bonds form during the first half of April (during spring migration) and they usually keep the same mate for years. During courtship, the male often puts on an extensive display. There are various displays he will initiate, but a common "dance" is the drake swimming with the bill up, neck stretched out, and head puffed to twice its normal size to show off its white head patch. He then might stand almost erect with his bill against his swelled breast, followed by a quick dive under the female. Throughout the display, there is much head bobbing and body movement from this energetic little duck.Buffleheads nest almost exclusively in tree cavities, and can squeeze through holes as small as 2.24 inches in diameter. The most common source of these cavities is old Northern Flicker holes that are often located 2-10 feet above the ground in poplar trees up to 200 hundred yards away from water. This eliminates most competition with other cavity nesters such as the Common Goldeneye; however, European Starlings and Northern Flickers still compete with Buffleheads for these nesting sites. Once females have successfully nested, many females will return to the same tree annually to nest.Nest initiation takes place between early May and mid May. Commonly, 10-14 eggs are laid and incubated for 28 - 33 days. Partway through incubation, the male will leave and gather with other post-breeding males for the wing molt. Buffleheads generally have high nest success, and the newly hatched young will spend 24 - 36 hours in the nest before jumping to the ground, where the hen will then lead the brood to nearby water. When ducklings are 5 - 6 weeks old, the female will leave, often before their first flight, which occurs at 50 - 55 days.
Migration
The main migration to wintering areas begins in late October. Buffleheads travel and generally remain in small flocks of 5-10 birds, but can occasionally gather into groups of as many as 50 and, in fall, flocks of up to 500 birds have been recorded. The majority of the population winters on the Atlantic coast, from southern Newfoundland to southern Florida; and on the Pacific coast, from the northern tip of the Aleutian Islands to Mexico. Occasionally further S; has occurred Greenland, NE Siberia, Hawaii and Japan; also NW Europe (mainly Britain).
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Anseriformes
Family:Anatidae
Genus:Callonetta
Species:C. leucophrys
Binomial name
Callonetta leucophrys
[group] Ducks, geese and swans | [order] ANSERIFORMES | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Callonetta leucophrys | [UK] Ringed Teal | [FR] Callonette a collier noir | [DE] Rotschulter-Ente | [ES] Pato de Collar (Arg, Uy, Bo), Pato Acollarado | [NL] Ringtaling
Length: 14-15 inches Weight: 11-12 ounces
The male and female remain colourful throughout the year, lacking an eclipse plumage. The drake has a rich chestnut back, pale grey flanks and a salmon-coloured breast speckled in black. A black band runs from the top of its head down to the nape. Females have an olive-brownish back with the head blotched and striated in white, with pencilled barring on a pale chest and belly. Both have a dark tail, a contrasting pale rump, and a distinctive white patch on the wing. Bills are grey and legs and feet are pink in both sexes. Pairs easily bond. Their contact calls are a cat-like mee-oowing in ducks, a lingering peewoo in drakes.
The Ringed Teal (Callonetta leucophrys) is a small duck of South American forests. It is the only species of the genus Callonetta. Usually placed with the dabbling ducks (Anatinae), this species may actually be closer to shelducks and belong in the subfamily Tadorninae; its closest relative is possibly the Maned Duck. female The male and female remain colourful throughout the year, lacking an eclipse plumage.
HABITAT AND RANGE: Ringed Teal ducks are found in South America, from southern Bolivia, Paraguay, and southwestern Brazil to northeastern Argentina and Uruguay. Their habitats include tropical, swampy forests and marshy clearings in well-wooded lowlands, as well as secluded pools and small streams. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Roughly translated, the Latin name of the Ringed Teal, Callonetta leucophrys, means “the beautiful duck with the white wing patches.
Ringed teal have strong, pointed claws on their feet and so can readily perch in trees. Length: 14-15 inches Weight: 11-12 ounces Coloration: Ringed Teal, typical of wood ducks, have beautiful iridescent greenish plumage patterns, especially on the wings. They may be distinguished by a white patch in front of the green speculum. The males have a finely speckled, pinkish breast and a buff colored head with a black posterior border, they can dive underwater to escape predators. However, they seldom dive deeper than one meter. While swimming, they hold their tails horizontally so that they do not touch the surface of the water. After dabbling, they flap their wings vigorously a few times to shake out any water that might have entered the wing pockets or other air spaces.
The ringed teal live in South America, from southern Bolivia, Paraguay and southwestern Brazil to northeastern Argentina and Uruguay in wooded habitats. They have strong, pointed claws on their feet so they can readily perch in trees. Their length can be up to 14-15 inches with a 28 inch wingspan and weight of 11-12 ounces. Typical of wood ducks, they have beautiful iridescent greenish plumage patterns, especially on the wings. Their legs are light pink, the slender bill bluish grey and the eyes brown.
Physical characteristics
Males are pale faced with black crown and hindneck, a white hip patch, gray barred flanks, blue bill, and pink legs. Females are patterned similarly overall with pale underparts barred brown and a brown face marked with pale stripes. Both sexes of Ringed Teal can be easily recognized in flight by a white greater covert patch and green secondaries.
Habitat
They are found near secluded pools, small streams, swampy tropical forests, ponds, marshy clearings in low woodlands, and often in forested habitats.
Feeding
The feeding habits of the ringed teal label them as ?puddle ducks?. They are surface feeders as opposed to diving ducks. They feed by dipping their head, neck and front of the body under water with the tail in the air. This behavior is called ?up-ending.? They maintain this position with foot action, grazing on submerged bottom plants. After dabbling, they flap their wings vigorously a few times to shake out any water that might have entered the wing pockets and other air spaces.
Conservation
This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence 30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size may be moderately small to large, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern. [conservation status from birdlife.org]
Breeding
Ringed teals, like other wood ducks form strong pair-bonds, although they are not necessarily life-long. The male exhibits preening as part of his courtship displays, in which he flashes the iridescent wing colors toward the female to attract her attention. The male also swims around the female in a figure- eight pattern while throwing his head back and whistling. Breeding takes place in the water. Almost all ringed teal nests are in holes or other tree cavities. The nest is lined with down and 6-12 eggs are laid. The incubation period is about 29 days. Both the male and female take turns incubating the eggs and caring for the young. Hatching is timed to the weather and food availability, synchronizing with the best conditions. The chicks are precocial, meaning they are well developed when they are hatched. After hatching, the parents leave the nest. The ducklings follow sometimes making the leap from great heights. The chicks obtain oil for waterproofing their feathers by rubbing against their mother's abdominal plumage. They are called from the nest a day or two after hatching. After tumbling out, they follow their mother. They eat on their own, taking aquatic vegetation and insects as demonstrated by the adults. They can fly some 50-55 days after hatching and follow the adults to the winter feeding grounds.
Migration
Disperses after breeding, seen nearer coasts and at lower altitudes.
Grange Castle Business Park
Clondalkin Co.Dublin
19-04-2022
spanwidth min.: 62 cm
spanwidth max.: 63 cm
size min.: 37 cm
size max.: 46 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 25 days
incubation max.: 29 days
fledging min.: 49 days
fledging max.: 56 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 6
eggs max.: 14
Aythya collaris
Lacha mhuinceach
Status: A rare winter visitor to wetlands from October to March, almost always associating with flocks of Tufted Duck.
Conservation Concern: Green-listed in Ireland. The European population is regarded as Secure.
Identification: Very similar to Tufted Duck and care is needed to distinguish the two species. Slightly smaller than Tufted Duck and lacks that species distinctive crest. Adult males can be separated from Tufted Duck by having much greyer flanks with a white vertical stripe, as well as different pattern on the bill (broad white stripe near the tip). Adult females appear quite different to female Tufted Duck, being much paler overall and having an obvious white eyering. Also shows a hint of the obvious vertical white stripe found on the flanks of the male. Juvenile Ring-necked Ducks are similar to females, though the head pattern is not as contrasting and lacks the broad white stripe on the bill.
Similar Species: Tufted Duck
Call: Generally silent when seen in Ireland.
Diet: Mainly feeds by diving for freshwater invertebrates (beetles, shrimp). Ring-necked Ducks will also feed on plants, such as pondweeds.
Breeding: Ring-necked Ducks breed in central and northern North America.
Wintering: The species winters south of the breeding grounds in the United States to Central America. Occasionally wanders to Ireland and then can be seen with Tufted Duck on larger lakes. In September/October 2008, a flock of 15 was recorded on Inishmore on the Aran Islands.
Where to See: Ring-necked Ducks could be seen in any large flock of Tufted Ducks in Ireland.
Physical characteristics
Although male ring-necked ducks superficially resemble their counterparts in greater and lesser scaups, their peaked, angular head profile, distinctive white bill markings, and uniformly dark upper wings distinguish them. Female ring-necked ducks most closely resemble female redheads, but are distinguished by their smaller size, peaked, angular head profile, and pale region around the face. Male ring-necked ducks have an iridescent black head, neck, breast and upperparts. The belly and flanks are whitish to grayish with a distinctive triangular white wedge extending upward in the area in front of the folded wing. The bill is slate with a white border around the base and nares and a pale white band behind the black tip. Their name is derived from a faint brownish ring around the base of the neck, which is visible only upon close inspection. The legs and feet are gray-blue and the iris is yellow. Relatively silent except in display when a low whistling note is uttered. Female ring-necked ducks have a brown head with a black crown, light brown cheeks and chin, and a white eye-ring. A narrow white line extends from the eye to the back of the head. The bill is slate with a faint white band near the tip. The neck, back, sides, and flanks are brown and the belly is white. The legs and feet are gray-blue and the iris is brown.
Habitat
In winter, ring-necked ducks use a variety of habitats, such as fresh and brackish marshes, shallow lakes, estuarine bays, and coastal lagoons. During breeding they prefer sedge-meadow marshes, swamps, and bogs surrounded by woody vegetation
Other details
The majority of ring-necked ducks migrate through the Central and Mississippi Flyways to inland wintering grounds along the Gulf of Mexico and the southern Atlantic coast of the USA. In winter, ring-necked ducks use a variety of habitats, such as fresh and brackish marshes, shallow lakes, estuarine bays, and coastal lagoons. Ring-necked ducks are winter visitors to Central America and the northern Caribbean, and vagrant to Trinidad and Venezuela. vagrant to Western Europe, most notably Ireland and the UK
Feeding
Ring-necked ducks dive in shallow water to feed on tubers, seeds, and leaves of moist-soil and aquatic plants (pondweeds, coontail, water milfoil, hydrilla, sedges, grasses, wild rice, etc.). They also eat aquatic insects, snails, and clams.
Breeding
Ring-necked ducks breed from southeastern and east-central Alaska, central British Columbia eastward through northern Saskatchewan to Newfoundland, south to northeastern California, southeastern Arizona, southern Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, northern New York, and Massachusetts. They prefer sedge-meadow marshes, swamps, and bogs surrounded by woody vegetation. Female ring-necked ducks nest in flooded or floating emergent vegetation and lay an average of 8 to 10 eggs.
Migration
Migratory; winters in lowlands mostly along Atlantic and Gulf coasts, but also following Pacific, and S to Panama and West Indies. A regular trans-Atlantic vagrant, most frequent in Britain, but records from most of Europe; has also occurred NW Africa (Morocco) and Japan.
Seen and photographed this Muscovy Duck in the San Antonio River off of the San Antonio River Walk located in the City of San Antonio in Bexar County Texas U.S.A.
Muscovy Duck - Cairina moshata, Order: Anseriformes, Family: Anatidae
Greylag Goose,
Order - Anseriformes, Family - Anatidae, Species, - Anser anser,
Of all grey geese, the Grey lag ( the direct ancestor of the domestic goose ) most resembles the farmyard goose.
It is also the most easily seen grey goose in the UK because it has been introduced in many lowland areas where sizeable flocks are now semi-tame and resident all year round.
Winter visitors are still wild and shy.
In much of eastern and central Europe, the Greylag is naturally resident in extensive marshes,
Voice, - Loud, clattering, and honking notes like farmyard bird, ahng-ahng-ahng,kang-ank,
Nesting, - Sparsely lined ground nest, often on island; 4 - 6 eggs; 1 brood; May - June.
Feeding, - Grazes; plucks-grass and cereal shoots, digs for roots and waste grain,
Length, - 74 - 84 cm ( 29 - 33 in ),
Wingspan, - 1.49 - 1.68 m ( 5f - 5f 6in ),
Weight - 2.9 - 3.7kg,
Lifespan, - 15 - 20 years,
Social - Flocks,
Status, - Secure,.
Cubelles, Barcelona (Spain).
ENGLISH
Anatidae is the biological family that includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These are birds that are evolutionarily adapted for swimming, floating on the water surface, and in some cases diving in at least shallow water. (The Magpie-goose is no longer considered to be part of the Anatidae, but is placed in its own family Anseranatidae.)
Extant species range in size from the Cotton Pygmy Goose, at as little as 26.5 cm (10.5 inches) and 164 grams (5.8 oz), to the Trumpeter Swan, at as much as 183 cm (6 ft) and 17.2 kg (38 lb). They have webbed feet and bills which are flattened to a greater or lesser extent. Their feathers are excellent at shedding water due to special oils. Anatidae are remarkable for being one of the few families of birds that possess a penis; they are adapted for copulation on the water only. Duck, eider, and goose feathers and down have long been popular for bedspreads, pillows, sleeping bags and coats. The members of this family also have long been used for food.
The reclaimed wetlands of the river Foix estuary have made this area into one of the main attractions of the town. The River Foix, which is dry during most of the year due to construction of the Foix Resservoir is another of the most emblematic places in Cubelles. At the Foix estuary, you can spend the day enjoying nature and birthwatching, or at one of the picnic areas. This zone is also intended for school visits, as it is a place where children can study the ecosystem of a Mediterranean river such as the Foix.
The estuary is separated from the sea by a sand barrier which has accumulated over time, due to sea currents and rainwater sediments, forming freshwater laguens behind the barrier. The natural area of the Foix Delta has a branch of land that sticks out into the sea. This was formed during the floods of 1994 and joins onto another branch, leaving an island in the middle. Tourists can visit the island by crossing a wooden footbridge.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatidae, www.cubelles.net/docs/20050211004068.htm
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CASTELLANO
Anatidae o anátidas ( del griego ανατος = pato por ser los patos los representantes más difundidos de esta familia). La Anatidae es una familia de aves del orden de los anseriformes. Las anátidas son aves usualmente migradoras y que suelen vivir en las proximidades del agua, una de sus adaptaciones al medio acuático hace que sean palmípedas. Entre las muy diversas especies de esta familia se encuentran los ánades o patos, eideres, ánsares, las barnaclas, los cauquenes, cisnes, coscorobas, gansos, mergos, ocas, ochandos, porrones, serretas, tarros y yaguasas. En eras modernas su distribución natural abarcaba prácticamente a todo el planeta Tierra a excepción (salvo casos ocasionales) de la Antártida.
La recuperación de los espacios húmedos de la desembocadura del río Foix ha convertido la zona en una de las de mayor atractivo del municipio. El río Foix -que desde la construcción del pantano del Foix está la mayor parte del año seco- es otro de los elementos más emblemáticos de los cubellenses. En la desembocadura del Foix, además de poder pasar un día rodeado de la Naturaleza, se puede observar el comportamiento de las aves autóctonas de esta zona o disfrutar de las áreas de picnic. El espacio también está dirigido a las escuelas, que pueden visitar y estudiar el ecosistema de un río mediterráneo, como es el del Foix.
Su desembocadura está separada del mar por una barrera de arena acumulada por las corrientes marítimas y los depósitos pluviales, formando lagunas de agua dulce en su interior. El Espacio Natural del Delta del Foix, mantiene el brazo de salida al mar que se formó por las riadas de 1994, a la que se ha añadido un segundo brazo dejando una isla en el medio, conectada con la zona de entretenimiento a través de unas pasarelas de madera. Otra pasarela de madera sobre uno de los brazos del río, sirve de punto de observación del desarrollo natural de la desembocadura del Foix.
Fuentes: es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatidae, www.cubelles.net/docs/20050211004073.htm
Dismal light, as per usual. I dialled in a lot of +ve exposure bias & then lifted again in PP to burn out the noise in the water at least.
Belmullet Co.Mayo 24-12-2020
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsis
[order] Anseriformes | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Branta leucopsis | [UK] Barnacle Goose | [FR] Bernache nonnette | [DE] Nonnengans | [ES] Barnacla de Cara Blanca | [IT] Oca dalla faccia bianca | [NL] Brandgans | [IRL] Gé ghiúrainn
spanwidth min.: 120 cm
spanwidth max.: 142 cm
size min.: 58 cm
size max.: 70 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 24 days
incubation max.: 25 days
fledging min.: 40 days
fledging max.: 45 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 3
eggs max.: 6
Status: Local winter visitor from Greenland, occurring in Ireland between October & April.
Conservation Concern: Amber-listed in Ireland as the majority winter at less than ten sites. The European population is considered to be Secure.
Identification: Small compact goose, with small rounded head and short black bill. It has a black neck and breast and mostly-white head, barred grey upperparts and pale underparts. Identified in flight by a strong contrast between the black breast and the whitish belly.
Similar Species: Other goose species, such as Brent Goose.
Call: High-pitched monosyllabic shrill or bark.
Diet: Primarily grazers, feeding on grasses and sedges on the tundra during the breeding season, and on coastal pastures during the winter.
Breeding: Irish Barnacle Geese breed in Greenland. The species also breeds in Siberia, as well as in increasing numbers around the Baltic Sea.
Wintering: Winters in western Scotland and Ireland. Mostly on remote islands in the northwest Ireland and western Scotland where it is relatively free from disturbance. Highly gregarious.
Where to See: The most important sites are the Inishkea Islands in County Mayo and Ballintemple in County Sligo, each supporting over 2,500 birds. Trawbreaga Bay in County Donegal, Malin Head in County Donegal and Rathlin O’Birne in County Donegal also support relatively large flocks (usually 500-800 birds).
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Greylag Goose (Anser anser)
[order] Anseriformes | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Anser anser | [UK] Greylag Goose | [FR] Oie cendrée | [DE] Graugans | [ES] Ánsar Común | [IT] Oca selvatica | [NL] Grauwe Gans
Measurements
spanwidth min.: 149 cm
spanwidth max.: 168 cm
size min.: 74 cm
size max.: 84 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 27 days
incubation max.: 28 days
fledging min.: 50 days
fledging max.: 60 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 4
eggs max.: 8
Physical characteristics
Different from outer geese basically uniform coloration of body and bill, his bill less black marks, sometimes black spots or blotches present on belly. Juvenile generally less strongly patterned dorsally and overall has more mottled plumage. Subspecies rubrirostris has pink bill and paler plumage.
Habitat
Generally associated with water in open country, often with fringe vegetation or near grasslands. Winters in swamps, lakes and coastal lagoons, or on farmland in open country.
Other details
This goose inhabits the temperate and boreal regions of Europe and Asia. The birds visiting the European Union belong more or less to five distinct populations (Scott & Rose). The first population comprises the sedentary birds of north-western Scotland. It has nearly doubled during the last 20 years and is currently amounting to 5250 individuals. The second population is breeding in Iceland and wintering in Scotland, northern England and Ireland. It increased from 25000 in 1950 to 100000 currently. The third population is breeding in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Western Germany the Netherlands and Belgium, and wintering from the Netherlands to Spain and Morocco. From 30000 at the end of the 1960's, it increased to 200000 currently. The fourth population is breeding in north-eastern Sweden, Finland, the Baltic States and Central Europe, transiting in Italy and wintering in Tunisia and Algeria. It is estimated at 20000 individuals and seems to be quite stable. The fifth population is breeding in the Black Sea regions and Turkey. It reaches northern Greece, and can be estimated at 25000 individuals. Its trends are not well known, but it is probably declining
Feeding
Various plants: roots, leaves, stems and seeds also fruits, grain, potatoes and sprouting cereals in winter,. Forages mostly by grazing on dry land, but also on water, where it sometimes upends.
Conservation
This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 1,000,000-10,000,000 km². It has a large global population estimated to be 920,000-970,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2002). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern. [conservation status from birdlife.org]
Breeding
Eggs are layed form March-April in loose colonies. Shallow nest of reed stems and grass, lined with down, among reedbeds, on ground or in trees. The Clutch size is 4-6 eggs and incubation lasts 27-28 days. Chicks have brownish olive down yellow below. This Goose reaches sexual maturity in 3 years. Although greylag geese Anser anser establish long-term monogamous pairbonds, some of the existing pairs do split up (divorce) and new pairs are formed during the annual spring mating period.
During the incubation period the gander stays close to the nest, and when the goslings a few days old leave the nest they are cared for by both parents, at this time small family groups may be formed. The gander will aggressively protect goslings and nest and an intruder will be met by hissing and threatening attitudes or may be attacked.
Migration
A few populations sedentary but most birds move southwards to winter in traditional sites at lower latitudes; many European birds follow French coast and concentrate in large numbers, up to 80,000 in Dec/Jan, in Donana marshes, SW Spain. Irregular occurrences often depend on extent of icing during particular winter.
Mallard duck
El ánade real o #azulón (Anas platyrhynchos) es una especie de ave anseriforme de la familia Anatidae. Es un #pato de superficie común y muy extendido. Habita áreas de temperatura templada de Norteamérica, Europa y Asia. También frecuenta Centroamérica y el Caribe. Probablemente es el más conocido de todos los patos.
El macho tiene la cabeza verde azulada, pico amarillo, pecho pardo o castaño, collar blanco, cuerpo gris y popa negra. La hembra es de colores más apagados en pardo oscuro, se parece a otros patos (sobre todo al ánade friso), pero su mayor tamaño, el color anaranjado y oscuro en el pico y el espejuelo azul y blanco son característicos. Ambos sexos tienen espejuelos azul-morado.
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The #mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is a large wading bird of the family #Anatidae #Anseriformes. It is a common duck and widespread surface. It inhabits warm temperate areas of North America, Europe and Asia. Also frequents Central America and the Caribbean. Probably the best known of all ducks.
The male has bluish green head, yellow beak, brown or chestnut breast, white necklace, gray body and black stern. The female is duller colors in dark brown, other ducks (especially the Gadwall), but its larger size, the color orange and dark blue beak and white speculum and looks are characteristic. Both sexes have blue-purple glasses.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Anseriformes
Family:Anatidae
Genus:Anas
Species:A. platyrhynchos
Binomial name
Anas platyrhynchos
[order] Anseriformes | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Alopochen aegyptiacus | [UK] Egyptian Goose | [FR] Ouette d'Égypte | [DE] Nilgans | [ES] Oca del Nilo | [IT] Oca egiziana | [NL] Nijlgans
Measurements
spanwidth min.: 130 cm
spanwidth max.: 145 cm
size min.: 63 cm
size max.: 73 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 28 days
incubation max.: 30 days
fledging min.: 70 days
fledging max.: 75 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 7
eggs max.: 10
Physical characteristics
Egyptian geese have long necks, long pink legs, a pink bill and brown eye patches encircling each eye. They are distinguished from closely related species by a brown patch in the middle of the chest. The upper wings and the head are brown, while the rest of the body is light brown. The underside of the wings is white and green. Juveniles do not have the brown eye patches or a patch on the chest. Egyptian geese are anywhere from 63 to 73 cm in height and they can weigh from 1.5 to 2.3 kg. The wingspan is fairly large, measuring 38 cm, on average.
Distinguishing between males and females can be a challenge. The females are smaller than the males, but otherwise both sexes look alike. One way to tell them apart is by their sound. Males make a raspy hiss, while females produce a cackling sound. Although they are not terribly vocal, when they are feeling aggressive or stressed they will make a great deal of noise.
These geese stay together in small flocks throughout the year, mainly for protection. Egyptian geese pair up during the breeding season, but otherwise they remain in their flocks. Although they are mainly sedentary, they move to another body of water if a period of drought occurs in their current home range. They may wander from the water during the day in search of food in either the grasslands or agricultural fields. They always return to the water at night.
Habitat
Egyptian geese will not populate densely wooded areas, though they can be found in meadows, grasslands, and agricultural fields. Most of their time is spent in rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and wetlands. They can be found as high as 4000 m.
Other details
Alopochen aegyptiaca is widely distributed throughout its native range, Africa, and southern Europe. It is especially common in southern Africa, below the Sahara and in the Nile Valley. In the 18th century, Alopochen aegyptiaca was introduced into Great Britain, and a substantial population still thrives there today. Currently Alopochen aegyptiaca is colonizing the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.
Introduced 18th century in West Europe, the range of feral (returned to wild) population has increased in recent years. Breeds ferally also in Netherlands since 1970s and Belgium since 1982, with a few pairs in France and Germany. Birds seen sporadically elsewhere in Europe also regarded as of captive origin, though some older southern records perhaps wild birds, as former breeding range uncertain. Occasional records in Israel, where perhaps bred formerly. Formerly scarce winter visitor to Cyprus, and has occasionally wintered Tunisia and Algeria.
Feeding
Egyptian geese are mainly herbivores, they eat young grass from grasslands or savannahs, grains (particularly wheat) from agricultural fields, and soft vegetation like leaves and other detritus. Many tend to forage away from the water in pastures or arable land. Part of their diet includes a wide variety of small insects, terrestrial worms and frogs that live in nearby ponds.
Conservation
This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 19,000,000 km². It has a large global population estimated to be 210,000-530,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2002). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern. [conservation status from birdlife.org]
Breeding
The males are quite aggressive when mating. Each male performs a noisy and elaborate courtship display, emitting unusually loud honking noises. Under normal circumstances, Egyptian geese are reserved, quiet animals, but during mating season they are just the opposite. A male will act in this manner in order to attract a female. Since Egyptian geese are monogamous, one male and one female nest alone in dense vegetation, holes, or simply on the ground.
Egyptian geese breed in the spring or at the end of the dry season (The breeding season is anywhere from July to March, depending on the area). At the age of two, Alopochen aeygptiacus reach sexual maturity. Nest locations are usually near water for safety and near grassland for feeding; the nests are made out of feathers and vegetation and are located in dense vegetation, holes, or simply on the ground. Pairs sometimes find nests on the ground or use deserted nests of other larger bird species (such as Buteo buteo (common buzzard) or Pica pica (black-billed magpie)), which can be located in trees or on high ledges. The male goose fertilizes the female internally. Five to twelve eggs are laid, and they are incubated for 28 to 30 days. The young fledge in 70 days. Incubation lasts from 28 to 30 days and is done by both parents. The father protects the eggs and chicks, while the mother guides them and keeps them close to her.
Migration
Largely sedentary over much of range, with only local movements linked with availability of water. Occasional in winter N of Sahara (Algeria, Tunisia).
Edson Fichter Nature Area, Pocatello, Bannock County, Idaho.
10:02 3 February 2019
Aves
Anseriformes
Anatidae
Branta canadensis
Mallard duck
El ánade real o #azulón (Anas platyrhynchos) es una especie de ave anseriforme de la familia Anatidae. Es un #pato de superficie común y muy extendido. Habita áreas de temperatura templada de Norteamérica, Europa y Asia. También frecuenta Centroamérica y el Caribe. Probablemente es el más conocido de todos los patos.
El macho tiene la cabeza verde azulada, pico amarillo, pecho pardo o castaño, collar blanco, cuerpo gris y popa negra. La hembra es de colores más apagados en pardo oscuro, se parece a otros patos (sobre todo al ánade friso), pero su mayor tamaño, el color anaranjado y oscuro en el pico y el espejuelo azul y blanco son característicos. Ambos sexos tienen espejuelos azul-morado.
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The #mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is a large wading bird of the family #Anatidae #Anseriformes. It is a common duck and widespread surface. It inhabits warm temperate areas of North America, Europe and Asia. Also frequents Central America and the Caribbean. Probably the best known of all ducks.
The male has bluish green head, yellow beak, brown or chestnut breast, white necklace, gray body and black stern. The female is duller colors in dark brown, other ducks (especially the Gadwall), but its larger size, the color orange and dark blue beak and white speculum and looks are characteristic. Both sexes have blue-purple glasses.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Anseriformes
Family:Anatidae
Genus:Anas
Species:A. platyrhynchos
Binomial name
Anas platyrhynchos
Mute Swan, Order Anseriformes, Family Anatidae, Species Cygnus olor,..
A large, familiar bird, strikingly white and obvious even at great range, Mute Swan is generally quite tame, even semi-domesticated in its behaviour and choice of habitat.
Territorial pairs are aggressive, even to people or their dogs, using impressive displays of arched wings and loud, hissing calls.
In some floodplains, small groups regularly feed on dry land, a habit that is more consistent with the two " wild swans ", Bewick's and Whooper,
Voice - Strangled trumpeting and hissing notes,
Nesting - Huge pile of vegetation at water's edge; up to 8 eggs; 1 brood; March - June.
Feeding - Plucks vegetable matter from short grass in fields and salt marshes, pulls the same from shallow water, or upends in deeper water,..
Length 1.4 - 1.6m,
Wingspan - 2,08 - 2.38m,
Weight - 10 - 12kg,
Lifespan - 15 - 20 years,
Social - Small flocks,
Status - Secure,...
Juvenile and adult Mute Swan (Knoppsvane / Cygnus olor) from Vestfossen (Øvre Eiker, Norway)
Canon EOS 550D, Sigma 150-500mm.
The photo is part of a Mute Swan set.
I also have a set with a whole sequence of a: Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) landing on ice.
Photographed this Mallard Duck on the San Antonio River while on our walk on the River Walk located in San Antonio Texas USA
Mallard Duck - Anas platyrhynchos Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Anseriformes
Family:Anatidae
Genus:Anser
Species:A. serrirostris
Binomial name
Anser serrirostris
The tundra bean goose (Anser serrirostris) is a goose that breeds in northern Siberia. This and the taiga bean goose are recognised as separate species by the American Ornithological Society and International Ornithologists' Union, but are considered a single species by other authorities (collectively called bean goose). It is migratory and winters further south in Asia. The taiga and tundra bean goose diverged about 2.5 million years ago and established secondary contact ca. 60,000 years ago, resulting in extensive gene flow.
Rather large, dark gray-brown goose with typically small orange patch on bill, and orange legs. In flight lacks contrasting pale forewing areas of Pink-footed Goose and Graylag Goose. Not always safely told in the field from Taiga Bean Goose, but Tundra averages a shorter and thicker bill, vs. the longer, more sloping bill of Taiga. Breeds on tundra and winters in farmland and wetlands, where it associates readily with other geese.
The length ranges from 68 to 90 cm (27–35 in), wingspan from 140 to 174 cm (55–69 in) and weight from 1.7–4 kg (3.7–8.8 lb).[2] In the nominate subspecies, males average 3.2 kg (7.1 lb) and females average 2.84 kg (6.3 lb).[2] The bill is black at the base and tip, with an orange band across the middle; the legs and feet are also bright orange.
The upper wing-coverts are dark brown, as in the white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons) and the lesser white-fronted goose (A. erythropus), but differing from these in having narrow white fringes to the feathers.
The voice is a loud honking, higher pitched in the smaller subspecies.
The closely related pink-footed goose (A. brachyrhynchus) has the bill short, bright pink in the middle, and the feet also pink, the upper wing-coverts being nearly of the same bluish-grey as in the greylag goose.
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Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)
[order] Anseriformes | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Cygnus cygnus | [UK] Whooper Swan | [FR] Cygne chanteur | [DE] Singschwan | [ES] Cisne Cantor | [IT] Cigno selvatico | [NL] Wilde Zwaan | [IRL] Eala Ghlórach
spanwidth min.: 205 cm
spanwidth max.: 235 cm
size min.: 140 cm
size max.: 160 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 31 days
incubation max.: 42 days
fledging min.: 78 days
fledging max.: 96 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 3
eggs max.: 5
Physical characteristics
Size is similar to the Mute Swan, but there are noticeable differences. Whooper Swans have a yellow and black beak, a more rigid neck bearing in activiy as well as at rest, and, finally, their wings produce a musical sound when they fly. Their feathers are entirely white and their webbed feet are black. Juveniles show a greyish brown plumage. After one year, they get their adult one.
The Whooper Swan can also be mistaken for the Bewick Swan whose he's very close. There are two ways to differentiate them: the Whooper Swan is much bigger, with a longer neck and a more angulous head, and the beak's yellow/black layout is different. While the Whooper's Swan beak looks globally yellow with just a black tip, the Bewick's Swan's one is mainly black with a yellow base, sometimes half yellow, half black. Unlike the Mute Swan, it never raises its wings above its back when it swims and its neck is straighter.
Habitat
Winters on low agricultural land, generally not far from coast. Breeds in northern zones, on shallow fresh waters: pools, lakes and rivers in wooded country. Rarely in tundra.
Other details
Cygnus cygnus breeds mainly in Iceland, Fennoscandia and northern Russia, but winters patchily across much of Europe, which constitutes >50% of its global wintering range. Its European wintering population is relatively large (>65,000 individuals), and was stable between 1970-1990. Although there were declines in a handful of countries during 1990-2000, most European wintering populations-including key ones in Denmark and Germany-were broadly stable or increased, and the species underwent a large increase overall.
Whooper Swans nest mainly in Eurasian boreal regions. They split in three distinct groups. The most occidental one, with a stable population of about 16 000 individuals, nests in Iceland. The central one nests in Scandinavia and Occidental Russia. It is estimated at 59 000 individuals, regularly increasing. The most oriental group is located in Siberia. Its population, estimated at 17 000 individuals, is probably decreasing. These groups migrate south beginning autumn with the first cold days. The occidental group leaves Iceland for the British Isles, North Sea and Channel coasts, as far as the farthest point of Brittany. The oriental group sets up on Caspian and Black Sea shores. The Scandinavian group is the one that has the shortest migration. During winter, Whooper Swans, like Bewick Swans, spend a great deal of time grazing.
Feeding
Essentially vegetarian. It eats aquatic plants and uses all parts of it (stems, leaves, roots, shoots). It also graze in prairies, like geese. It may eat small invertebrates, but it's a minor part of their diet.
Conservation
This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 10,000,000 km². It has a large global population estimated to be 180,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2002). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern. [conservation status from birdlife.org]
Breeding
Pairs unite for lifetime. Males are very active in nest building. Their nest is bulky and made essentially with stems and leaves. The bottom is covered with twigs, leaves and feathers. In April-May, the female lays 4 to 7 eggs and sits on for 5 to 6 weeks. Chicks are precocious and are carried on the female's back under the male's aggressive watch and protection. Taking flight occurs 87 to 90 days after hatching.
Migration
Migratory. Part of Icelandic population remains in winter. Migrates southwards to temperate areas, sporadically in more southern latitudes in cold winters; vagrant to USA and Pakistan.
Order:Anseriformes
Family:Anatidae
Subfamily:Anserinae
Tribe:Anserini
Genus:Chen
Nombre común:Ganso blanco
Nombre cietifiico: Chen caerulescens(White morph)
Nombre ingles: Snow Goose
Lugar captura: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico
Por: Cimarron mayor Panta.
On Saturday I took a short walk around the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord. Saw lots of nice wildlife, including a muskrat, a yellow warbler, and lots of red-winged blackbirds, but my favorite photo from the day is this of a Canada Goose with its gosling. Normally these are not very interesting birds....but the babies sure are cute.
I may post a few other shots from the day later this week, but for now this is my last bird photo. I know my stream has turned into all birds, all the time.
Skerries Co.Dublin 15-11-2020
[order] ANSERIFORMES | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Branta bernicla | [UK] Brant Goose | [FR] Bernache cravant | [DE] Ringelgans | [ES] Barnacla de Cara Negra | [NL] Rotgans |
Measurements
spanwidth min.: 105 cm
spanwidth max.: 117 cm
size min.: 55 cm
size max.: 62 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 24 days
incubation max.: 26 days
fledging min.: 36 days
fledging max.: 26 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 6
eggs max.: 10
Light-bellied Brent Goose
Branta bernicla hrota
Cadhan
This population winters almost entirely in Ireland, with small numbers in parts of Britain and France.
Status: Winter migrant from high-Arctic Canada. Most occur in Ireland between October and April.
Conservation Concern: Amber-listed as the majority winter at less than ten sites. The Irish population is also internationally significant, another amber listing criterion. The European population has been evaluated as Vulnerable as several important populations declined.
Identification: Small dark goose, with a black head, neck and breast, and dark-brown upperparts and pale underparts. Almost whitish flanks, and small white crescent on the upperparts of the neck visible at close range.
Similar Species: Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Black Brant, Barnacle Goose
Call: Gutteral 'rhut, rhut'
Diet: During the winter, it feeds mostly on eel-grass, which grows on muddy estuaries, and also on grasslands, usually when coastal supplies have been depleted at estuarine sites.
Breeding: Nests in small, loose colonies by coastal tundra, with pools and small inlets.
Wintering: Mostly found on coastal estuaries during the autumn and early winter, and also on grasslands from mid-winter, until departure for the breeding grounds begins in late April.
Where to See: Highest numbers (c. 30,000) are seen at Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland in October, where most congregate on arrival. Thereafter, they move to other estuarine sites. Lough Foyle in County Derry, Dublin Bay in County Dublin, Tralee Bay, Lough Gill & Akeragh Lough in County Kerry, Rogerstown Estuary in County Dublin, Wexford Harbour & Slobs in County Wexford are other well-used sites (1,000-3,500 birds).
Physical characteristics
The Brant is similar in appearance to the Canada Goose, but smaller and darker. The adult has a gray belly and breast, white rump, and black neck and head with a thin white necklace and no chin-strap.
Fast fliers with swept-back wings, Brant are usually found in a flock. They forage while wading, dabbling in shallow water, or while walking on mudflats or the shore. They display strong site-fidelity to both their wintering and nesting areas.
Habitat
Brant are almost exclusively coastal in their range and are found in shallow bays and saltwater marshes. They nest in the wet, coastal tundra of the high Arctic. Their winter habitat is closely tied to the occurrence of sea grasses and marine algae.
Other details
Branta bernicla is a rare breeder in the European Arctic, but winters mainly in coastal areas of western Europe, which accounts for less than half of its global wintering range. Its European wintering population is large (>240,000 individuals), and increased between 1970-1990. Although a few populations increased or were broadly stable during 1990-2000, key wintering populations (of the subspecies B. b. bernicla) in the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands declined, and the species underwent a large decline (>30%) overall.
This goose is breeding on the arctic coasts of Eurasia and North America, mainly on small islets protected from polar foxes (Alopex lagopus). It winters along the temperate Atlantic and Pacific coasts. The birds visiting the European Union belong to three different populations (Scott & Rose). The first population, estimated at 20000 individuals, comprises the white-bellied birds of the race hrota, breeding in Greenland and northern Canada and wintering in Ireland. The second population, estimated at 5000 individuals, comprises the birds of the race hrota breeding on Svalbard and wintering in Denmark and north-eastern England. The third population, estimated at 300000 individuals, comprises the dark-bellied birds of the nominate race, breeding along the Russian coasts and wintering in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, south-western England and France. All three populations have undergone important fluctuations. The nominate race has experienced a 90% decline during the 1930s following a disease of its foodplant, Zostera marina. It has started to recover since the 1950s, and the increase is still in progress. The populations of Canada and Greenland have increased since the 1960s and seem currently to be stable. The population of Svalbard dropped from about 40000-50000 to a mere 2000 at the end of the 1960s, not only because of the disease of Zostera but also because of non sustainable hunting. Since the 1970s it has recovered
Feeding
Historically, Brant fed almost exclusively on eelgrass, which is still strongly preferred when available. Now they also forage on grasslands and have been able to diversify their diet in the absence of eelgrass, although their range is still closely tied to eelgrass. Brant also eat some aquatic invertebrates.
Conservation
This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence 30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is very large, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern. [conservation status from birdlife.org]
Breeding
Long-term pair bonds usually form on the wintering grounds. Nesting occurs in loose colonies, on small islands in tundra ponds. The breeding range of the Brant is typically within five miles of the coast. The nest is a shallow bowl of grass and other vegetation, lined with down. The female incubates 3 to 5 eggs for 22 to 24 days. The young leave the nest within a day of hatching, and both parents continue to tend them and lead them to sources of food. During the long days of the high-Arctic summer, the young feed at all hours, and grow quickly. They fledge at 40 to 50 days, but stay with the parents through the first migration.
Migration
Single wholly migratory population. Depart Russian tundras mid-August to 1st week September. Main route west along arctic coasts to White Sea, then overland to Gulfs of Finland and Bothnia. Passage through Baltic mid-September to early October; first arrivals Denmark late September but bulk October. Some stay Denmark and western Germany through November before moving on in colder weather; others go straight to winter quarters in Netherlands, south-east England, and west France, where peak numbers December-February. Return passage begins early March; most leave England and France by mid-April. Spring gatherings in Netherlands, Denmark and western Germany until main departures in mid-May; only stragglers after mid-June.
This is Flying Anseriforme pair shot number twelve in my project to catch flying pairs of the of the species we see here.
I also started my annual Warbler hunt today. I try to get as many Warbler species as I can from May through September. Several species breed here, but many more pass through on the way to their more northern breeding areas and then back down in late August and early September to their southern winter grounds. I recently posted a shot of a Yellow-rumped Warbler, and today I captured male and female Blackpoll Warblers and a male American Redstart. (not a great shot , but I will try to improve) I hope to beat my record of fifteen Warbler species during this time frame. I have three to start this season.
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Mallard duck
El ánade real o #azulón (Anas platyrhynchos) es una especie de ave anseriforme de la familia Anatidae. Es un #pato de superficie común y muy extendido. Habita áreas de temperatura templada de Norteamérica, Europa y Asia. También frecuenta Centroamérica y el Caribe. Probablemente es el más conocido de todos los patos.
El macho tiene la cabeza verde azulada, pico amarillo, pecho pardo o castaño, collar blanco, cuerpo gris y popa negra. La hembra es de colores más apagados en pardo oscuro, se parece a otros patos (sobre todo al ánade friso), pero su mayor tamaño, el color anaranjado y oscuro en el pico y el espejuelo azul y blanco son característicos. Ambos sexos tienen espejuelos azul-morado.
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The #mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is a large wading bird of the family #Anatidae #Anseriformes. It is a common duck and widespread surface. It inhabits warm temperate areas of North America, Europe and Asia. Also frequents Central America and the Caribbean. Probably the best known of all ducks.
The male has bluish green head, yellow beak, brown or chestnut breast, white necklace, gray body and black stern. The female is duller colors in dark brown, other ducks (especially the Gadwall), but its larger size, the color orange and dark blue beak and white speculum and looks are characteristic. Both sexes have blue-purple glasses.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Anseriformes
Family:Anatidae
Genus:Anas
Species:A. platyrhynchos
Binomial name
Anas platyrhynchos
Wigeon,
Order ;- Anseriformes, Family ;- Anatidae, Species ;- Anas penelope,
Like most ducks, the Wigeon forms close flocks on water while feeding, advancing across a salt marsh or meadow in a tight-packed mass, Such a flock looks richly colourful and adds to the effect with constant loud calls, Wigeon are generally shy and fly off when approached, large numbers forming wheeling flocks circling above a marsh or heading for the safety of a reservoir, They have good reason to be wary, being the prime taret of many fowlers,
Occurrence, Breeds in N Europe and N UK, on edges of moorland pools and lakes in forests, Much more widespread in winter on estuaries and freshwater marshes, and on grassy areas surrounding reservoirs and water-filled pits,
Voice ;- Male has loud, exploisve, musical whistle, whee-oo; female has deep, rough, abrupt growl,
Nesting ;- In long vegetation on ground, near water, 8 or 9 eggs, 1 brood, April - July,
Feeding ;- Grazes on short grass, often in dense flocks, also feeds in shallow water, taking seeds, shoots, and roots.
Length ;- 45 - 51 cm ( 18 - 20 in ),
Wingspan ;- 75 - 86 cm ( 30 - 34 in ).
Weight ;- 500 - 900g ( 18 - 32 oz ),
Social ;- Dense flocks,
Lifespan ;- Up to 15 years,
Status ;- Secure,
Took this photo of the duckling Mallard Duck at Gillies Lake located in the Gillies Lake Conservation Area in Timmins Ontario Canada.
Mallard Duck - Anas platyrhynchos Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae
ORDEN: Anseriformes.
FAMILIA: Anatidae.
N. Comun: Pato jergon.
N. Cientifico: Anas georgica spinicauda.
N. Ingles: Yellow billed pintail.
Habitat: Atacama a Magallanes. Chile
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Hottentot Duck ~ London Wetland Centre ~ Barnes ~ London ~ Wednesday February 4th 2015.
Sheryl Crow ~ www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIYiGA_rIls
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Purchase some of my images here ~ www.saatchionline.com/art/view/artist/24360/art/1259239 ~ Should you so desire...go on, make me rich..lol...Oh...and if you see any of the images in my stream that you would like and are not there, then let me know and I'll add them to the site for you..:))
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Well, I went to the London Wetland Centre on Wednesday.........1st time in a while, not the greatest of days weather wise!...twas cold, overcast and damp...:(
It's also the middle of winter so there wasn't much in the way of action...However, I did manage to sign my very first autograph in the shop...as from the links above, they are selling cards in the shop that have my photographs on them..:) So when one woman brought one of mine I offered to sign it for her..lol...perhaps I should set up a signing table there...Bwhahaha..:)
Anyhoo....I did manage to capture a Hottentot Teal.:)
I hope everybody has a great day...:)
Hottentot teal ~ From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ~ Hottentot teal ~ Conservation status ~ Least Concern
Scientific classification ~ Kingdom:Animalia ~ Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Anseriformes
Family:Anatidae
Subfamily:Anatinae
Genus:Anas
Species:A. hottentota
Binomial name
Anas hottentota
(Eyton, 1838)
The Hottentot teal (Anas hottentota) ~ <is a species of dabbling duck of the genus Anas. It is migratory resident in eastern and southern Africa, from Sudan and Ethiopia west to Niger and Nigeria and south to South Africa and Namibia. In west Africa and Madagascar it is sedentary.
The Hottentot teal breed year round, depending on rainfall, and stay in small groups or pairs. They build nests above water in tree stumps and use vegetation. Ducklings leave the nest soon after hatching, and the mother's parenting is limited to providing protection from predators and leading young to feeding areas This species is omnivorous and prefers smaller shallow bodies of water.
The Hottentot teal is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.
Mallard (Stokkand / Anas platyrhynchos) ducklings from Fosseparken (Kongsberg, Norway)
Canon 550D, Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6
The photo is part of a Mallard duckling set.
More Mallard hens: Female Mallard.
For Mallard drakes: Male Mallard.