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The avian family Anatidae, commonly called waterfowl, comprise the ducks, geese, and swans. The International Ornithological Committee (IOC) recognizes these 174 Anatidae species distributed among 53 genera, 32 of which have only one species.
The North American Waterfowl Management Plan for redheads is 760,000 North American birds. [13] The population size has increased in the past few decades to well over 1.4 million birds. [6] Redheads make up 2% of North America's duck population and only 1% of its harvested ducks. [13]
The ring-necked duck (Aythya collaris) is a diving duck from North America commonly found in freshwater ponds and lakes. [3] The scientific name is derived from Greek aithuia , an unidentified seabird mentioned by authors including Hesychius and Aristotle , and Latin collaris , "of the neck" from collum , "neck".
The Australian wood duck, maned duck or maned goose (Chenonetta jubata) is a dabbling duck found throughout much of Australia. It is the only living species in the genus Chenonetta . Traditionally placed in the subfamily Anatinae (dabbling ducks), it might belong to the subfamily Tadorninae (shelducks); [ 2 ] the ringed teal may be its closest ...
One duck serves as a sentry, watching for predators as the others in the group dive in search of food. [8] Buffleheads are amongst the last waterfowl to leave their breeding grounds and one of the world's most punctual migrants, arriving on their wintering grounds within a narrow margin of time.
The duck's common name is based on early European inhabitants of North America's assertion that its back was a canvas-like color. [4] In other languages it is just a white-backed duck; for example in French, morillon à dos blanc, or Spanish, pato lomo blanco. [5] In Mexico it is called pato coacoxtle. [6]
Including the Mexican duck in the mallard is a relic from the usual practice of much of the mid-late 20th century, when all North American "mallardines" as well as the Hawaiian and Laysan ducks were included in the mallard proper as subspecies.
Before molting the flight feathers, all waterfowl undergo a complete body molt, replacing the bright colors of the basic plumage of males by the duller alternate or eclipse plumage. [14] In the Surf Scoter, however, the eclipse plumage is believed to be limited or absent such that males similar in both basic and alternate plumage, but may have ...