The waterfowl (Order Anseriformes) are diversified, yet as a group are very homogenous. All members are swimming birds with relatively short legs and webbed front toes.They have rather long necks and broad bills.All are heavily feathered, and most are strong fliers. Most are highly gregarious, migrating in large flocks. Despite their homogeneity, waterfowl have given avian taxonomists great difficulty in arranging them into natural groups. Based on their anatomy, distribution, habits, and behavior, waterfowl are grouped into a single family, the Anatidae. The family is further divided into several subfamilies, which are further broken into a number of tribes.
Diving ducks run and patter along the surface of the water when taking flight. They all dive under water when feeding. The hind toe is lobed, or flap-like. The legs of diving ducks are located further back on the body close to the tail. Because of this rearward leg placement, the bodies of diving ducks are usually held more upright when walking on land. Diving ducks normally float low in the water with their tails held parallel to the water’s surface. Their wings are relatively small, but their wing beat is rapid.Diving ducks have a strong, direct, and fast flight.
Dabbling ducks are surface feeders commonly found in the shallower waters of creeks, ponds, marshes, and playas. They feed by dabbling or “upending” rather than by diving. Occasionally, they also feed on land.When taking flight, they spring directly into the air instead of pattering over the water’s surface. Most birds in this group have an iridescent speculum on the trailing edge of the wing. Dabbling ducks normally swim with their tails held high out of the water. Their legs are located more anteriorly giving them a more horizontal posture when walking on land.
CLASSIFICATION OF THE WATERFOWL OBSERVED IN MIDLAND COUNTY, TEXAS
Order Anseriformes—Waterfowl
Family Anatidae—Ducks, Geese, and Swans
Subfamily Anserinae
Tribe Cygnini—Swans
Tundra Swan—Cygnus columbianus
Tribe Anserini—–Geese
Greater White-fronted Goose—Anser albifrons
Snow Goose—Chen caerulescens
Ross’ Goose—Chen rossii
Canada Goose—Branta canadensis
Subfamily Dendrocygninae
Tribe Dendrocygnini—Whistling-Ducks
Fulvous Whistling-Duck—Dendrocygna bicolor
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck—Dendrocygna autumnalis
Subfamily Cairininae
Tribe Cairinini—Perching Ducks
Wood Duck—Aix sponsa
Subfamily Anatinae
Tribe Anatini—Dabbling Ducks
Mallard—Anas platyrhynchos
Gadwall—Anas strepera
American Wigeon—Anas americana
Northern Pintail—Anas acuta
Northern Shoveler—Anas clypeata
Green-winged Teal—Anas crecca
Blue-winged Teal—Anas discors
Cinnamon Teal—Anas cyanoptera
Subfamily Aythyinae
Tribe Aythyini—Bay Ducks or Pochards
Canvasback—Aythya valisineria
Redhead—Aythya americana
Ring-necked Duck—Aytha collaris
Lesser Scaup—Aythya affenis
Subfamily Merginae
Tribe Mergini—Sea Ducks and Mergansers
Common Goldeneye—Bucephala clangula
Bufflehead—Bucephala albeola
Black Scoter—Melanitta americana
Surf Scoter—Melanitta perspicillata
White-winged Scoter—Melanitta deglandi
Common Merganser—Mergus merganser
Red-breasted Merganser—Mergus serrator
Hooded Merganser—Lophodytes cucullatus
Subfamily Oxyurinae
Tribe Oxyurini—Stiff-tailed Ducks
Ruddy Duck—Oxyura jamaicensis