Anseriformes

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Anseriformes
Temporal range:
Late Cretaceous-Holocene, 71–0 Ma
Magpie goose, Anseranas semipalmata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Clade: Anserimorphae
Order: Anseriformes
Wagler, 1831
Extant families
Range of the waterfowl and allies

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.

All species in the order are highly adapted to live at the water surface. All are web-footed for good swimming. While most live on water, some live mainly on land.