Anseriformes
order of birds
The order Anseriformes contains about 150 living species of birds in four families: the Anhimidae (the screamers), Anseranatidae (the Magpie Goose), the Anatidae, which includes over 140 species of waterfowl, among them the ducks, geese, and swans and the †Vegavidae, containing the sole genus Vegavis.
Anseriformes Temporal range: Upper Cretaceous
66 mya to Recent | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus), a member of the Anatidae | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | |
Phylum: | |
Class: | |
Superorder: | |
Order: | Anseriformes Wagler, 1831
|
Subgroups | |
| |
![]() | |
Range of the Waterfowl and allies |
All species in the order are highly adapted for an aquatic existence at the water surface. All are web-footed for good swimming. While most live on water, some live mainly on land.