We have about 70 species of waterfowl at The Sanctuary � roughly 65 percent of all waterfowl species in the world! Click on a category below for a look at some of the birds you might meet at The Sanctuary:

Swans
The swans are the largest of the waterfowl, and feed primarily by reaching the pond bottom for aquatic plants with their long necks.  Both males and females will sit on the nests.

Geese
Quite capable of walking, and even running, the geese are primarily grazers.  Males and females look similar for the most part, although some species have differences in plumage.  Males protect the nestling female and goslings, but do not do any incubation.

Shelducks
The shelducks are an evolutionary link between the geese and the ducks with characteristics from both.  They have bills and bodies like large ducks but behave like geese and are very terrestrial.

Mergansers
Mergansers are fish specialists.  They grip their slippery live prey with their long, highly serrated bills.  Very good swimmers and divers.

Stifftails
An odd group of ducks with very stills tail feathers that are used like a rudder while swimming underwater.  Very chunky little dicks with short wings and large bills.

Seaducks
Seaducks spend the majority of their life at sea, only moving to freshwater for the breeding season.  Excellent divers, they feed primarily on shellfish, mollusks, and invertebrates.

Perching Ducks
These ducks have the ability to perch in trees quite easily with their strong feet and sharp claws.  Primarily three cavity nesters, the ducklings jump to the ground uninjured.  They walk easily on land with well placed feet.

Dabbling Ducks
Also known as "puddle ducks", these ducks feed primarily in shallow water on invertebrates and plant materials.  They have long, flat bills, and tend to walk quite easily on land.

Diving Ducks
The diving ducks prefer deeper water than the dabblers where they feed off the pond bottom.  Eating all types of aquatic plants, invertebrates, and mollusks, these ducks are proficient divers.  When on land, they walk poorly because their feet are placed far back on the body.

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Copyright � 2003
Last modified: March 28, 2003