Anseriformes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Anseriformes |
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| Magpie goose, Anseranas semipalmata | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Clade: | Anserimorphae |
| Order: | Anseriformes Wagler, 1831 |
| Extant families | |
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| Range of the waterfowl and allies | |
The Anseriformes are a group of about 150 living species of birds. This group includes many birds you might know, like ducks, geese, and swans. It also includes screamers and the Magpie goose. These birds are often called "waterfowl" because they are very good at living near or on water.
Contents
What are Anseriformes?
Most Anseriformes birds are specially built for life in water. They all have webbed feet which help them swim really well. While many of them spend most of their time on water, some types live more on land.
Families of Anseriformes
The Anseriformes group has three main families of living birds:
- The Anhimidae, known as the screamers.
- The Anseranatidae, which includes only the Magpie goose.
- The Anatidae, which is the largest family. It has over 140 species, including all the ducks, geese, and swans.
How long have they been around?
These birds have been around for a very long time. Fossils show they existed since the Upper Cretaceous period. That was millions of years ago!
Images for kids
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Crested screamer (Chauna torquata)
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Magpie goose (Anseranas semipalmata), a unique bird
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Cast of Dromornis stirtoni, a giant bird from Australia
See also
In Spanish: Anseriformes para niños
