- Subfamily Dendrocygninae- Whistling-Ducks and Allies
- There are no flock members in this subfamily.
- Subfamily Anserinae- Geese, Swans
Chen caerulescens- Snow Goose
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View range map of Snow Goose here.
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- The Snow Goose is a large white bird (26-33") that breeds in the arctic tundra.
- Snow Geese migrate in huge, noisy flocks primarily to the southern United States.
- Snow Geese are grazers and often feed in large flocks in marshes and fields. The descending flocks resemble swirling snow.
- During a young goose's second spring migration it will pair up and the pair will remain together for life.
- The female builds a nest which is scraped in the ground and lined with plant material and down feathers. She will lay between two and six creamy white eggs, which she will incubate for approximately 23 days.
- The chicks are precocial, and will leave the nest within two days of hatching able to swim and feed themselves.
- Once hunted to low numbers, the Snow Goose population is now very large.
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Anas platyrhynchos- Mallard
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View range map of Mallard here.
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- The most familiar of all ducks, the Mallard is found across the United States.
- The Mallard is a dabbling duck, which feeds by tipping up in shallow water to filter aquatic vegetation.
- Elaborate courtship displays take place on the wintering grounds, where pairs form for the coming breeding season.
- The female chooses the nest site, and makes a simple scrape in the ground, which she lines with down from her own breast feathers. She lays up to 13 creamy-green eggs.
- The chicks hatch after approximately 28 days of incubation. They are precocial, and will leave the nest after two days, following the female to the water to feed.
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