Ducks (Anatidae) - Birds of North America - North American Birds (2024)

Canards

Anatidae

Information, images and range maps on over 1,000 birds of North America, including sub-species, vagrants, introduced birds and possibilities

Along with seeing the native ducks in North America, there are also the possibility of seeing the non-nativeducks from Eurasia, Mexico, Central and South America and ducks from the Caribbean Islands. On this site, you willbe able to view all these ducks. Also, included there are ducksare possible of the sighting of escaped birds from wildlife centres andprivate breeders. Not included among these waterfowl are the eiders, loons, grebes and mergansers.

Among these different types, the birds can be grouped again into puddle, aka "dabbling" and diving ducks. The dabblersmostly feed in smaller bodies of shallow water or along shorelines, where they are able to tip their bodies forward to reachtheir food on the bottom. There are divers who feed in deeper water where they dive and pursue their quarry. Some of these birds,the Harlequin Duck, for example, actually dives to the bottom of fast-flowing waters and feeds on life forms attached to rocks.

References to Other Bird Sites:

These are links to websites pertaining to the different birding institutions, societies and organizations here in North America. Some of thesesame sites are a great asset to seeking out knowledge on birds in other regions of the world. Each of these links offer the user different methods to identify birds,whether it be by regions, habitat, appearance or maybe colour. Knowledge on the possibilities of where and what birds might be present are included.

Hinterland Who's WhoWelcome to the Web site for Hinterland Who's WhoIt all started in 1963, with black-and-white vignettes about the loon, the moose, the gannet and the beaver. For more than 50 years, Hinterland Who’s Who has proudlybeen bringing Canada’s iconic wildlife directly into Canadians’ homes. Re-launched in 2003, the new series serves to rebuild the connection thousands of viewers madewith wildlife through the original series. Welcome to our new website! Have a look around, and learn how you can help ensure that the wildlife remains part of what itmeans to be Canadian.

Avibase - the world bird database This site provides the userwith a complete list of bird species, broken down per country, or in the example of the US or Canada, per state and province. Here, bird species names areavailable in other languages, a great asset to be used as a translation of foreign bird names.

ABA - American Birding Association This site represents an organization that maintainsofficial records of all birds species that have been proven to have been seen inside the perimeters of the North American Continent and the surrounding bodies ofwater. Regular revised versions are posted to keep the bird list current at all times. This is the list used by all serious birders over their lifetime. You may beaware of the movie called the "Big Year". It was with this list that all the competing birders used in an attempt to set a new record as to how many bird speciesthat could be seen by an individual birder in one calendar year.

The description to follow is taken from the AOS Home Page.

AOS - The American Ornitholgy Society is an international society devoted to advancingthe scientific understanding of birds, enriching ornithology as a profession, and promoting a rigorous scientific basis for the conservation of birds. As one of theworld's oldest and largest ornithological societies, AOS produces scientific publications of the highest quality, hosts intellectually engaging and professionallyvital meetings, serves ornithologists at every career stage, pursues a global perspective, and informs public policy on all issues important to ornithology andornithological collections. AOS is distinguished by its tremendous collective expertise, including eminent scientists, conservation practitioners, early careerinnovators, and students.

ABC - American Bird Conservancy This is an organization started in Europe and is nowformed in North America in the 1990's. It bases its goal on four approaches, Halt extinctions, Protect habitat, Eliminate threats and to Build capacity. One of theirways of achieving these goals, is by purchasing and leasing lands around already protected lands and creating larger safe zones for all its habitants.

eBird - TheCornellLab of Ornithology eBird is a must for any individual, who hasan interest in birds. This site allows users to sign up and participate in recording birds seen on a daily basis as well as the location, for any bird species seen in theworld. In addition, users can use the existing data to search out the location of bird species throughout the year. By using filters, information as to the movementscan be determined. Photos can be added to identify individual birds. Migration pattern can be calculated using information by months or years as needed. Range maps canbe verified, allowing the users to see where the presence of individual bird species are expected to be at certain times of the year.

NA - National Geographic The Society of National Geographicprovides some of the best books available for those who have an interest in birds. The book called "The Complete Birds of North America", is a book recommendedto be part of any birders library. This book covers all the native and vagrant species of birds seen on the North American Continent. It provides information on all the birdslisted on the ABA bird list. This book goes into great details, describing the individual species and their races. That aside, their website provides wonderfulinformation pertaining to many articles regarding nature.

NAC - National Audubon Society The National Audubon Society is the oldest organization inNorth America. It was initially formed for the preservation of egrets and herons as well as waders, who were being hunted and killed, so their feathers could be used in theclothing industry. Today, there are many chapters of the NAS all over the continent and all individual groups have a common goal, to educate the public. In doingso, creating awareness of the birds and their plights. They were the driving force in promoting the original international laws, protecting migratory birds. Today,their website has made information available on articles, images and sounds, relating to all the native birds seen in North America.

I hope you will take advantage of these suggested websites. I have used each of them, in one way or another, throughout the years in my quest to better identifyand understand our fine feathered friends.

Classic Collection of North American Birds

CCNAB