Anseriformes – Waterfowl

These might run after you if you tease them, but they do a whole lot more for us humans!

They are collectively known as wildfowl in the UK, waterfowl in the USA, and Screamers! The three species belonging to the family Anhimidae look pretty different from the wildfowl and have long legs and chicken-like beaks. They get their name (Screamers) from their loud, screeching, squawky calls.

Many of the Anseriformes collectively undertake long journeys, traveling thousands of kilometers at a time. This mass migration has been beneficial to us humans because it is symbolic of weather change! They have been necessary to man since prehistoric times for their meat and feathers, particularly in cold regions.