Waterfowl | Anseriformes

Waterfowl | Anseriformes

Description
Description

Anseriformes, or waterfowl, are an order of aquatic birds that include ducks, geese, and swan. Since these birds are frequently aquatic, many Anseriformes have webbed feet. Anseriformes are medium to large in size and are primarily herbivorous, but will forge on occasion for insects, mollusks, or small fish. During mating season, Anseriformes will often display complex courting displays with various vocalizations and body postures. Anseriformes are found worldwide, except in the Antarctic region. Anseriformes have been domesticated for their egg, meat, and liver production and some are hunted for sport or for their feathers.

Anatomy
Anatomy

Waterfowl, belonging to the order Anseriformes, are adapted for life in water. They typically have a robust, rounded body, short legs, and webbed feet ideal for swimming. Their feathers are waterproof, thanks to special oils. Many species have a specialized bill for sifting food from water. They exhibit a range of movements, from elegant swimming to awkward waddling on land. Their vocalizations vary from the iconic quack of ducks to more complex calls for communication. Waterfowl have keen vision, suited to spotting predators or prey, and their sense of hearing is attuned to the calls of their kind.

Human Interaction
Human Interaction

Humans and waterfowl share a long-standing relationship that spans from domestication of ducks and geese for eggs and meat to the iconic use of ducks in children's literature and games, like the classic "Duck, Duck, Goose." Waterfowl are also central to many traditional and recreational hunting practices. In pop culture, characters like Donald Duck and Daffy Duck highlight their prominence.

Conservation efforts have become crucial due to habitat loss and pollution. Initiatives like wetland restoration and protection, sustainable hunting regulations, and public education campaigns aim to preserve waterfowl populations and their natural environments for future generations.

Common Questions
Common Questions
What do waterfowl eat?

A waterfowl’s diet is dependent on their habitat, and species. Some waterfowl are omnivores while others are exclusively herbivores. Herbivores may eat smartweed, pondweeds, widgeon grass, natural seeds, and native plants to their habitat. Some waterfowl may consume aquatic invertebrates. Waterfowl typically eat about 10% of their body weight in plant matter every day.

How do you hunt waterfowl?

In order to hunt waterfowl successfully you will need to get the right camouflage gear, hunt with someone who has hunting experience, and make sure you hunt in an area in which you have permission to do so. It is also important to have the right firearm and decoy, have the right duck call, and hunt legally.

Why is it illegal to hunt waterfowl with lead shot?

It is illegal to hunt waterfowl with lead shot due to high levels of lead in meat that has been commercially processed. The residual lead in the meat is from the bullets used in hunting. Lead is especially harmful to small children and pregnant women.

Animals

* Under Development *

24”-30.7” | 61-78 cm
63”-79” | 160-201 cm (Wingspan)
43.3”-55.9” | 110-142 cm
8.2-19.8 lb | 3.7-9 kg
12-40 years
Black Swan
78.000
201.000
142.000
9.000
40.00
695200
GUIDE
3D
Black Swan
7.5”-9.4” | 19-24 cm
20”-24” | 51-61 cm (Wingspan)
13”-16” | 33-41 cm
.6-1.2 lb | .27-.55 kg
3-18 years
Bufflehead
24.000
61.000
41.000
0.550
18.00
21060
GUIDE
3D
Bufflehead
14.6”-21.7” | 37-55 cm
50”-73” | 127-185 cm (Wingspan)
29.5”-43.3” | 75-110 cm
5.5-14 lb | 2.5-6.35 kg
10-24 years
Canada Goose
55.000
185.000
110.000
6.350
24.00
31200
GUIDE
3D
Canada Goose
11.4”-14.6” | 29-37 cm
34”-38” | 86-97 cm (Wingspan)
22”-28” | 56-71 cm
2-4.6 lb | .9-2.1 kg
11-15 years
Common Merganser
37.000
97.000
71.000
2.100
15.00
13350
GUIDE
3D
Common Merganser
24.4”-29.9” | 62-76 cm
58”-71” | 147-180 cm (Wingspan)
29.1”-35.8” | 74-91 cm
4.9-10.1 lb | 2.2-4.6 kg
15-31 years
Domestic Goose
76.000
180.000
91.000
4.600
31.00
9200
GUIDE
3D
Domestic Goose
15.75”-17.3” | 40-44 cm
48”-56” | 122-142 cm (Wingspan)
26”-28” | 66-71 cm
4.3-6.9 lb | 1.95-3.13 kg
6-12 years
Emperor Goose
44.000
142.000
71.000
3.130
12.00
2530
GUIDE
3D
Emperor Goose
Gadwall
14040
11”-13.4” | 28-34 cm
31”-35” | 79-89 cm (Wingspan)
18”-22” | 46-56 cm
1.2-2.2 lb | .55-1 kg
10-28 years
Gadwall
34.000
89.000
56.000
1.000
28.00
14040
GUIDE
3D
Gadwall
8.7”-12.6” | 22-32 cm
22”-26” | 56-66 cm (Wingspan)
14”-20” | 36-51 cm
1-1.7 lb | .45-.76 kg
12-20 years
Harlequin Duck
32.000
66.000
51.000
0.760
20.00
12050
GUIDE
3D
Harlequin Duck
9.8”-12.2” | 25-31 cm
23”-28” | 58-71 cm (Wingspan)
15.75”-19.3” | 40-49 cm
1-1.9 lb | .45-.88 kg
11-16 years
Hooded Merganser
31.000
71.000
49.000
0.880
16.00
27070
GUIDE
3D
Hooded Merganser
Mallard
105400
12.6”-17.7” | 32-45 cm
32”-39” | 81-99 cm (Wingspan)
19.7”-28” | 50-71 cm
1.5-3.5 lb | .7-1.6 kg
5-29 years
Mallard
45.000
99.000
71.000
1.600
29.00
105400
GUIDE
3D
Mallard
14.2”-18.1” | 36-46 cm
54”-60” | 137-152 cm (Wingspan)
26”-33.1” | 66-84 cm
6-15 lb | 2.72-6.8 kg
6-15 years
Muscovy Duck
46.000
152.000
84.000
6.800
15.00
68000
GUIDE
3D
Muscovy Duck
33.1”-42.9” | 84-109 cm
59”-94” | 150-239 cm (Wingspan)
49.2”-63” | 125-160 cm
19-26 lb | 8.62-11.79 kg
15-25 years
Mute Swan
109.000
239.000
160.000
11.790
25.00
24800
GUIDE
3D
Mute Swan
8.9”-10.6” | 22.5-27 cm
31”-33” | 79-84 cm (Wingspan)
16.9”-20.9” | 43-53 cm
1.5-3.2 lb | .68-1.45 kg
10-23 years
Redhead Duck
27.000
84.000
53.000
1.450
23.00
5860
GUIDE
3D
Redhead Duck
7.9”-10” | 20-25.5 cm
22”-25” | 56-64 cm (Wingspan)
13.4”-16.9” | 34-43 cm
.8-1.8 lb | .35-.8 kg
13-20 years
Ruddy Duck
25.500
64.000
43.000
0.800
20.00
20300
GUIDE
3D
Ruddy Duck
18.9”-24.8” | 48-63 cm
53”-65” | 135-165 cm (Wingspan)
25.2”-33.1” | 64-84 cm
4.4-7.1 lb | 2-3.2 kg
15-25 years
Snow Goose
63.000
165.000
84.000
3.200
25.00
22300
GUIDE
3D
Snow Goose
37.8”-46.5” | 96-118 cm
72”-102” | 183-259 cm (Wingspan)
57.1”-70.9” | 145-180 cm
15.4-30 lb | 7-13.6 kg
24-35 years
Trumpeter Swan
118.000
259.000
180.000
13.600
35.00
13100
GUIDE
3D
Trumpeter Swan
29.5”-37.8” | 75-96 cm
72”-84” | 183-213 cm (Wingspan)
45.3”-59.1” | 115-150 cm
7.5-21.2 lb | 3.4-9.6 kg
15-24 years
Tundra Swan
96.000
213.000
150.000
9.600
24.00
9350
GUIDE
3D
Tundra Swan
12”-13.8” | 30.5-35 cm
26”-30” | 66-76 cm (Wingspan)
18.5”-21.3” | 47-54 cm
1-1.9 lb | .45-.86 kg
15-23 years
Wood Duck
35.000
76.000
54.000
0.860
23.00
74600
GUIDE
3D
Wood Duck
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)
Comparison drawing of the Hooded Merganser compared to other waterfowl

The Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) is a diving duck that is characterized by its crest that can be raised or lowered. Adult males are strikingly patterned and colored, and when breeding they are mostly black with white markings. During the nonbreeding season the male is similar to the female with the exception of the male’s yellow eyes. The female is grayish-brown with a white narrow patch over the lower breast and belly; the crest is reddish-brown that extends from the back of the head. As diving predators, the Hooded Merganser mostly feed on fish, but they may also consume aquatic insects and other invertebrates.

The Hooded Merganser has a wingspan in the range of 23”-28” (58-71 cm) and total weight of 1-1.9 lb (.45-.88 kg). The body of the Hooded Merganser has an overall length between 15.75”-19.3” (40-49 cm), body width of 5.5”-6.7” (14-17 cm), and standing height of roughly 9.8”-12.2” (25-31 cm). The typical lifespan of the Hooded Merganser is between 11-16 years.

Set of scaled side and front drawings of the Hooded Merganser
The Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) is a diving duck that is characterized by its crest that can be raised or lowered. Adult males are strikingly patterned and colored, and when breeding they are mostly black with white markings. The Hooded Merganser mostly feeds on fish.

The Hooded Merganser has a wingspan in the range of 23”-28” (58-71 cm) and total weight of 1-1.9 lb (.45-.88 kg). The body of the Hooded Merganser has an overall length between 15.75”-19.3” (40-49 cm), body width of 5.5”-6.7” (14-17 cm), and standing height of roughly 9.8”-12.2” (25-31 cm). The typical lifespan of the Hooded Merganser is between 11-16 years.

Set of scaled side and front drawings of the Hooded Merganser
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)
Height:
9.8”-12.2” | 25-31 cm
Width:
23”-28” | 58-71 cm (Wingspan)
Length:
15.75”-19.3” | 40-49 cm
Depth:
Weight:
1-1.9 lb | .45-.88 kg
Area:

Body Width: 5.5”-6.7” | 14-17 cm

Scientific Name
Lophodytes cucullatus
Lifespan
11-16 years

Drawings include:

Hooded Merganser side view, front, flying (assorted)

Downloads

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3D Downloads

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Scale illustration of an average Mallard compared to other waterfowl species

The Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is a dabbling duck found in temperate and subtropical America, Eurosiberia, and North Africa. It has been introduced to New Zealand, Australia, Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Columbia, the Falkland Islands, and South Africa. Adult males have a glossy green head with gray on the wings and belly, and the adult females have a brown-speckled plumage. Both have a white-bordered black or iridescent blue speculum on their wings. They are social animals that congregate in groups and live in wetlands; their diet consists of water plants and small animals.

The Mallard has a wingspan in the range of 32”-39” (81-99 cm) and total weight of 1.5-3.5 lb (.7-1.6 kg). The body of the Mallard has an overall length between 19.7”-28” (50-71 cm), body width of 6.3”-9.1” (16-23 cm), and standing height of roughly 12.6”-17.7” (32-45 cm). The typical lifespan of the Mallard is between 5-29 years.

Series of measured illustrations of the Mallard
The Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is a dabbling duck found in temperate and subtropical America, Eurosiberia, and North Africa. It has been introduced to New Zealand, Australia, Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Columbia, the Falkland Islands, and South Africa.

The Mallard has a wingspan in the range of 32”-39” (81-99 cm) and total weight of 1.5-3.5 lb (.7-1.6 kg). The body of the Mallard has an overall length between 19.7”-28” (50-71 cm), body width of 6.3”-9.1” (16-23 cm), and standing height of roughly 12.6”-17.7” (32-45 cm). The typical lifespan of the Mallard is between 5-29 years.

Series of measured illustrations of the Mallard
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Height:
12.6”-17.7” | 32-45 cm
Width:
32”-39” | 81-99 cm (Wingspan)
Length:
19.7”-28” | 50-71 cm
Depth:
Weight:
1.5-3.5 lb | .7-1.6 kg
Area:

Body Width: 6.3”-9.1” | 16-23 cm

Scientific Name
Anas platyrhynchos
Lifespan
5-29 years

Drawings include:

Mallard side view, front, flying (assorted)

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads

Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)
Comparison illustration of the size of a Bufflehead to other species of waterfowl

The Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) is a small sea duck that occupies wooded lakes and ponds in Alaska and Canada. They are migratory, and in winter most are in protected coastal waters or open inland waters on the east and west coasts of North America and in the southern United States. Adult males are white and black with iridescent green and purple heads; adult females are gray with a light underside. They are highly active and continuously undertake dives. As underwater foragers, they primarily eat insects in freshwater, and in saltwater, they feed on mostly crustaceans and mollusks.

The Bufflehead has a wingspan in the range of 20”-24” (51-61 cm) and total weight of .6-1.2 lb (.27-.55 kg). The body of the Bufflehead has an overall length between 13”-16” (33-41 cm), body width of 3.9”-5.1” (10-13 cm), and standing height of roughly 7.5”-9.4” (19-24 cm). The typical lifespan of the Bufflehead is between 3-18 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Bufflehead in various poses with dimensions
The Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) is a small sea duck that occupies wooded lakes and ponds in Alaska and Canada. They are migratory, and in winter most are in protected coastal waters or open inland waters on the east and west coasts of North America and in the southern United States.

The Bufflehead has a wingspan in the range of 20”-24” (51-61 cm) and total weight of .6-1.2 lb (.27-.55 kg). The body of the Bufflehead has an overall length between 13”-16” (33-41 cm), body width of 3.9”-5.1” (10-13 cm), and standing height of roughly 7.5”-9.4” (19-24 cm). The typical lifespan of the Bufflehead is between 3-18 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Bufflehead in various poses with dimensions
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)
Height:
7.5”-9.4” | 19-24 cm
Width:
20”-24” | 51-61 cm (Wingspan)
Length:
13”-16” | 33-41 cm
Depth:
Weight:
.6-1.2 lb | .27-.55 kg
Area:

Body Width: 3.9”-5.1” | 10-13 cm

Scientific Name
Bucephala albeola
Lifespan
3-18 years

Drawings include:

Bufflehead side view, front, flying (assorted)

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)
Scale illustration of an average Mute Swan compared to other waterfowl species

The Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) is a swan species native to Eurosiberia and North Africa. Outside of its native range, North America houses the largest population of the species after its introduction. The name ”mute” is in reference to the species being less vocal than other swans. Physically they have an all-white plumage with an orange beak that is bordered with black. The knob that sits on top of the beak is larger in males. They occupy large mounds that are built with waterside vegetation in shallow water on islands in the middle or at the edge of a lake. Their diet is largely agricultural crop plants like rapeseed and wheat.

The Mute Swan has a wingspan in the range of 59”-94” | 150-239 cm (Wingspan) and total weight of 19-26 lb | 8.62-11.79 kg. The body of the Mute Swan has an overall length between 49.2”-63” | 125-160 cm, body width of 14.2”-18.5” | 36-47 cm, and standing height of roughly 33.1”-42.9” | 84-109 cm. The typical lifespan of the Mute Swan is between 15-25 years.

Series of measured illustrations of the Mute Swan
The Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) is a swan species native to Eurosiberia and North Africa. Outside of its native range, North America houses the largest population of the species after its introduction. The name ”mute” is in reference to the species being less vocal than other swans.

The Mute Swan has a wingspan in the range of 59”-94” | 150-239 cm (Wingspan) and total weight of 19-26 lb | 8.62-11.79 kg. The body of the Mute Swan has an overall length between 49.2”-63” | 125-160 cm, body width of 14.2”-18.5” | 36-47 cm, and standing height of roughly 33.1”-42.9” | 84-109 cm. The typical lifespan of the Mute Swan is between 15-25 years.

Series of measured illustrations of the Mute Swan
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)
Height:
33.1”-42.9” | 84-109 cm
Width:
59”-94” | 150-239 cm (Wingspan)
Length:
49.2”-63” | 125-160 cm
Depth:
Weight:
19-26 lb | 8.62-11.79 kg
Area:

Body Width: 14.2”-18.5” | 36-47 cm

Scientific Name
Cygnus olor
Lifespan
15-25 years

Drawings include:

Mute Swan side view, front, flying (assorted)

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)
Comparison drawing of the Trumpeter Swan compared to other waterfowl

The Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) is a North American swan species and the heaviest living bird native to North America. Its name is in reference to the swan’s cry which is loud, musical, and similar to the sound of a trumpet. The plumage of an adult swan is entirely white; it has a large, wedge-shaped black bill that is sometimes minimally lined with salmon-pink around the mouth. They breed in large shallow ponds, undisturbed lakes, wetlands, and wide slow rivers in northwestern and central North America, and in the winter they migrate to the southern tier of Canada and parts of the United States.

The Trumpeter Swan has a wingspan in the range of 72”-102” (183-259 cm) and total weight of 15.4-30 lb (7-13.6 kg). The body of the Trumpeter Swan has an overall length between 57.1”-70.9” (145-180 cm), body width of 13”-16.1” (33-41 cm), and standing height of roughly 37.8”-46.5” (96-118 cm). The typical lifespan of the Trumpeter Swan is between 24-35 years.

Set of scaled top and elevation drawings of the Trumpeter Swan
The Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) is a North American swan species and the heaviest living bird native to North America. Its name is in reference to the swan’s cry which is loud, musical, and similar to the sound of a trumpet. The plumage of an adult swan is entirely white.

The Trumpeter Swan has a wingspan in the range of 72”-102” (183-259 cm) and total weight of 15.4-30 lb (7-13.6 kg). The body of the Trumpeter Swan has an overall length between 57.1”-70.9” (145-180 cm), body width of 13”-16.1” (33-41 cm), and standing height of roughly 37.8”-46.5” (96-118 cm). The typical lifespan of the Trumpeter Swan is between 24-35 years.

Set of scaled top and elevation drawings of the Trumpeter Swan
Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)
Height:
37.8”-46.5” | 96-118 cm
Width:
72”-102” | 183-259 cm (Wingspan)
Length:
57.1”-70.9” | 145-180 cm
Depth:
Weight:
15.4-30 lb | 7-13.6 kg
Area:

Body Width: 13”-16.1” | 33-41 cm

Scientific Name
Cygnus buccinator
Lifespan
24-35 years

Drawings include:

Trumpeter Swan side view, front, flying (assorted)

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads