Ornithology Taxa Study Guide

Trumpeter Swan (Anatidae)

Status LC

huge black beak, holds neck upright and arches neck

African Pygmy Goose

Status LC

tiny, unique color scheme

Indian Pygmy Goose

Status LC

sometimes called the cotton pygmy goose, reddish hue to their eyes, short and stubby with small bills, green and black on a mostly white body

Nene Goose

Status NT

also called the Hawaiian Goose, black head and beige cheeks

Andean Goose

Status LC

stubby beak, white in the front, and transitions to black near the tail feathers

Bar-headed Goose

Status LC

has 3 bars on its head

Orinoco Goose

Status NT

3 colors; white, brown, and green

Red-breasted Goose

Status VU/VU

has a prominently red-colored breast

Snow Goose

Status LC/LC

two different colored morphs, white and black

Brazilian Teal

Status LC

when wings are open, they are bright blue, but when wings are not spread, they are a plain brown coloration

Madagascar Teal

Status EN

plain brown ducks with dull grayish-green wings that are not as vibrant as the Brazilian Teal’s wings, endangered, lots of dark brown spots on flanks

Puna Teal

Status LC

light blue bill, black and white head, only duck with a blue bill

Marbled Teal

Status NT/VU

covered in white spots that gives it the marbled name, two-toned head

Spotted Whistling Duck

Status LC

dark brown body, head is not two-toned, dark mahogany head stripe going down back, spots are highly prominent

West Indian Whistling-Duck

Status NT

lighter brown color, spots are not as distinct

Chiloe Wigeon

Status LC

irridescent arching pattern across head

Northern Pintail

long pintail feathers, dark reddish brown head, tail gives it the name

Status LC/VU

Plumed Whistling Duck

Status LC

feathers that stick out like spikes

Hooded Merganser

Status LC

white and black hoods on heads used for mating rituals, pointy bills

Scaly-sided Merganser

Status EN

flanks have a scale pattern, elongated bill for catching fish

Common Eider

Status NT/EN

only saltwater bird, has a slope-shaped face, males are black and white, females are a brown shade