African Goose
African Goose – Carl Donner Heavy breed Domesticated Swan Goose Anser cygnoid Exhibition Africans weigh up to 12.7 kgs – the size that they reportedly reach in their area of origin in SE China. The large head, with a stout bill, carries a crescent-shaped dewlap, unlike its cousin, the Chinese Goose which has an unadorned […]
Chinese Goose
Chinese Gander — Tom Davis Chinese, like other geese, are fun to have around! — Morag Jones Light goose breed Domesticated Swan Goose Anser cygnoid Although there are now many colour variations, Chinese Geese are standardised for exhibition in two colour forms: the white and the brown (also called ‘grey’ or ‘fawn’). The brown is […]
Chubut Steamerduck
Chubut Steamerduck — GaryKramer.net The Chubut Steamerduck is thought to be exclusively maritime, confined to the rocky coastline and islands in the San Jorge Gulf, Argentina. The least studied of the steamers, this species has yet to be bred in captivity. Their diet is principally molluscs and crustaceans. Tachyeres leucocephalus Steamerduck taxonomy has long […]
Canada Goose
Canada Geese – Edward Giles Branta canadensis The complex of ‘white checked geese’ is probably the most discussed amongst the waterfowl when it comes to species and sub-species. Prior to 2004, the Canada Goose was regarded as a single species, comprising a dozen or more subspecies, a few of which appear to have become extinct […]
Cackling Goose
Cackling Geese at Clères – Morag Jones Branta hutchinsii When it comes to the North American geese, distinguishing Cackling from Canada is perhaps the most challenging. The two birds are virtually identical—so much so that until 2004, they were considered one species: Branta canadensis. Now, due mainly to genetic differences, the Cackling Goose is formally […]
Wood Duck
Wood Duck — BWA Wood duckling — Morag Jones Overhunting caused the wild population of Wood Ducks to decline in the early 20th century, but their numbers recovered almost 70 years after closed hunting seasons were initiated in 1916. Aix sponsa Also known as Carolinas or North American Wood Duck, these colourful ducks are among […]
Barnacle Goose
Barnacle Goose — Mark Hulme Barnacle Goose — Morag Jones Branta leucopsis Barnacle Geese, with their striking looks, are popular in wildfowl collections. They are distinguished by their white face, black head, neck and breast, together with pale belly. All geese need adequate grazing, but Barnacle Geese will adapt to smaller enclosures than some. They are highly vocal, […]
Brant Goose
Juvenile and adult Dark-bellied Brant Geese — Clayton Botkin There are three subspecies of Brant (or Brent) Goose recognised: B. b. nigricans — Black-bellied Brant of extreme north-east Siberia to north central Canada B. b. bernicla — Dark-bellied Brant of northern and central Siberia B. b. hrota — Pale-bellied Brant of Canada, Greenland, Svalbard and Franz Josef […]
Black Swan
Black Swans — Luke Millward Black Swan — Mo Warren Cygnus atratus Black Swans are prominent in wildfowl collections across the world. Easily recognisable by their black plumage, white flights and bright red bill, the Black Swan has a proportionately longer neck than any other swan. It is a feature that makes it particularly graceful […]
Black-necked Swan
Black-necked Swan carrying cygnets — Frank Todd Black-necked Swan cygnets — Trudy Robertson Cygnus melancoryphus Black-necked Swans are highly ornamental but not abundant in wildfowl collections. The largest of South American waterfowl, the Black-necked Swan is defined by its white plumage and velvety black head and neck. It has a striking blue bill with large […]
