This area is designed to provide a natural habitat for both domesticated and wild waterfowl. Filled with water, islands, and trees, visitors get a chance to view the resident birds as well as wild seasonal guests. The natural habits of several different species can be seen, including the raising of young. Waterfowl species include: DUCKS
ORDER: Anseriformes (waterfowl)
DESCRIPTION: Ducks make up the sub-family, Anatinae. They are the smallest of the waterfowl and are divided into various “tribes”. Most species have short legs and short necks. The bill is broad, flat and long; the feet are webbed. The adult male plumage is brightly colored and iridescent on most. Adult female plumage is generally camouflaged grays and browns. In most cases there are two distinct plumages; breeding (nuptial) plumage when the male is most brightly colored and non-breeding (eclipse) plumage during which both sexes look more similar.
RANGE/HABITAT: World wide distribution. Found in bodies of fresh, brackish or salt water.
ADAPTATIONS: Ducks molt twice a year. For part of the molt they are unable to fly due to loss of flight feathers. They swim and fly well. All are migratory with most breeding in temperate zones or Arctic tundra and wintering southward. Gregarious except during mating season. The dense plumage is waterproofed with oil from a gland near the tail. A heavy down layer provides additional insulation. There is a great diversity of habitat, food sources and feeding habits among ducks which helps to eliminate competition among the species. No two species feed on exactly the same thing, at the same time, in the same place, in the same way.
COURTSHIP/NESTING/BIRTH: They form seasonal pair bonds although bonds may need to be renewed each year. Most ducks are ground nesters although some will nest in tree cavities. Incubation is always done by the female. Clutch sizes vary from 4-14 eggs. The downy young are precocial. In some species males may participate in caring for the brood.
PREY/PREDATOR: Man is main enemy. Predators from land, water and air endanger eggs and young.
DIET: ZM-commercial bird feed, cracked corn (and grazing on the lawn). WILD-Marine species are mainly fish eaters. Other species feed primarily on aquatic or terrestrial vegetable matter as well as insects or aquatic invertebrates.
STATUS: Not endangered. Numbers in any given year are affected by bad weather, disease, pollution, starvation and predators. Hunting controls in recent years have helped prevent population decline. The addition of more bird sanctuaries, breeding sites as well as migration rest stops, have also helped prevent population declines.
ZOOMONTANA DUCKS BY TRIBES
ZooMontana’s ducks are primarily “Dabbler” ducks (Tribe Anatini) of which there are 39 species found worldwide. These ducks are freshwater ducks and very migratory with the exception of only two species that are considered non-migratory (Mottled duck and Mexican duck). They display sexual dimorphism (males differ in size and/or appearance from females) and eclipse plumage. Iridescence present along with a species-specific speculum. They feed primarily underwater by dipping heads. They are ground nesters and seasonal breeders. Their large wing in relation to their body size allows them to take off quickly and easily from the water or land. They are usually found in small, shallow bodies of water. Includes Mallard, Pintail and Teals.
Most diving ducks, Tribe Aythyini (represented by 16 species) spend their winters in brackish or salt waters but breed far inland in freshwater habitats. They exhibit sexual dimorphism. Their legs are placed far back on the body which makes them clumsy walkers on land but excellent divers in water. They dive beneath the surface to feed. Their narrow, pointed wings allow for fast flight once airborne but make it necessary for the duck to run on the water to take off. Because of this diving ducks are usually limited to large areas of open water which give them the room they need for take off and landing. They are ground nesters and form seasonal pairs for breeding. This group includes Canvasback and Redhead.
Perching ducks, Tribe Cairinini (13 species freshwater species found in tropical and temperate zones) are the most brightly colored ducks, even the females. Only a few members of this tribe have eclipse plumage. Webbed feet have claws on toes to aid in perching. Cavity and tree nesters, form seasonal pairs for breeding. Includes Wood duck and Mandarin.
Stiff-tailed ducks (Tribe Oxyurini) are small (12-18 inches long) and include about 9 species in the world. Only 2 (Ruddy duck and Masked duck) are found in North America. They are more aquatic than any other duck, have dense and shining body plumage somewhat like grebes and act like grebes; able to sink slowly below the surface without a ripple or sound. The long, narrow, stiffened tail feathers act like a rudder in underwater swimming. Their legs are set so far back on the body that the duck is virtually helpless on land but is more skillful underwater than diving ducks or mergansers. Unlike other N. American ducks, the male helps the female care for the young. The male is not noisy and the female is virtually “voiceless”.
The other duck Tribes (usually not represented at ZooMontana):
Merganettini (Torrent Duck) represented by one species. Found in streams and mountains of South America. It nests on ledges or in cavities.
Mergini (Sea Ducks) represented by 20 species. Found in fresh or salt water habitats of the Northern Hemisphere. They are great divers and feed primarily on fish. Sometimes they are found far out at sea. They nest on the tundra shoreline or in cavities. This group includes Mergansers and Goldeneyes.
Tachyerini (Steamer Ducks) represented by 3 species. Found in salt water habitats of South America. They feed on marine invertebrates. They are unique in the duck family for their lack of iridescence in their plumage. They are ground nesters.
Tadornini (Shelducks and Sheldgeese) represented by 14 species. Distributed worldwide except in North America. The geese are grazers, the ducks feed on aquatic invertebrates. They are cavity nesters and most are polygamous.
GEESE
ORDER: Anseriformes (waterfowl)
DESCRIPTION: Geese (with swans and tree ducks) make up the sub-family, Anserinae. Smaller than swans, with longer legs, shorter necks and thicker bills. The bill is broad, flat and long; the feet are webbed. In most cases the adult plumage is simple with white and black predominant. Two genera: grey Anser and “black” Branta, make up most of the group. Sexes look alike without any iridescent coloration. Vocalization of sexes is also similar. There are 14 species.
RANGE/HABITAT: Northern Hemisphere. Breed mainly on Arctic tundra (dotted with lakes and swamps). Winter in temperate parts of Europe, Asia and North America. They prefer grassy areas with water nearby.
ADAPTATIONS: Less aquatic than other waterfowl; more agile on land. They swim and fly well. All migratory except for the Hawaiian goose (Ne-ne). Gregarious except during mating season. Dense plumage is waterproofed with oil from gland near tail; heavy down layer for additional insulation. Molt once a year and are flightless for 3-6 weeks. Bill edges have rows of lamellae (used for cutting grass).
COURTSHIP/NESTING/BIRTH: Monogamous; permanent pair bonds. After simple courtship, a nest of vegetation is built in grass, usually near water. The male is very protective and the incubation is usually done by the female. Pale eggs, without spots, hatch in 3-4 weeks. The downy young are precocial.
PREY/PREDATOR: Man is main enemy. Small mammals such as Arctic fox and birds such as gulls, will prey on the eggs and young.
DIET: ZM-commercial bird feed, cracked corn (and grazing on the lawn). WILD-grasses, roots, tubers, seeds and grain.
STATUS: Numbers in any given year are affected by bad weather, starvation and predators. Hunting controls in recent years have helped prevent population declined due to killing for sport. Not considered endangered although the Ne-ne was hunted to near extinction by man and imported animals.
ZOOMONTANA GEESE BY SPECIES
Bar-Headed (Anser indicus): 28-20 inches. Mountain lakes of Asia, wintering in India and Burma. Herbivore, eating grasses, tubers, grain and seaweed. Mostly silver-grey with black bars on back of head. Legs and bill yellow. Social bird. Migrates over Himalayas. Declining largely due to hunting and egg gathering in India.
Lesser Snow and Blue (Anser caerulescens): 26-33 inches. Subarctic North America. Winters in California and the Gulf Coast. Herbivore; specialized for aquatic plants. Two color phases- all white (snow) or grey-brown with white head and neck (blue). Pink bill, legs dull red. Tend to mate with the same color phase. Barking call; very gregarious. Flocks are well managed and in no real danger.
Emperor (Anser canagicus): 26-30 inches. North Alaska to Northeast Siberia. Winters on the Coast of Alaska and on the Aleutians. Herbivore; eats tundra grasses. At sea in winter and eats sea grasses. Silvery grey with white head, black forehead. Pink bill, yellow legs. Loose colonies. Seabirds when not nesting ashore. 90% nest in Yukon delta. Not endangered although small range requires protection.
Moffitts (Western) Canada goose (Branta canadensis moffitti): 35-37 inches. Next in size to the giant Canada goose. Nests mostly west of the Continental Divide and summers as far north as Canada, winters as far south as Northern Mexico. Long black neck and black head with large white cheek patches which meet under the throat. Brown-grey body with pale to dark breast and underparts; black tail. Bill and feet are black. Migrates by night or day. Feed mostly early morning and late afternoon. Essentially herbivores, grazing mostly on grasses. Utters a deep, two-syllabled honking.
Dusky Canada goose (Branta canadensis occidentalis): Smaller, darker Canada goose, about 8-10 pounds. Coloration similar to other subspecies of Canada goose. Underparts are almost uniformly deep brown and the white neck ring is seldom present. Nests primarily on the Copper River delta on the coast of Alaska. A few scattered across Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet area near Anchorage. Migrate near the coast offshore, passing over southeastern Alaska. Winter in a small district of Willamette Valley, Oregon.
Barnacle goose (Branta leucopsis): 23-28 inches. A close relative to the Canada goose. Face and forehead is entirely white with a black mark between the eyes and bill. Black neck and dark body overall. Primarily European goose that also nests in Greenland and reported in North America from Baffin Island and Labradore. A casual visitor along the Atlantic coast in the fall. Winters in Northern Europe, south to British Islands. Utters short, shrill barks or yelps. Frequently hisses with snakelike movements of the neck. One of the most fearless of all geese. Frequents rivers and marshes in hilly parts of Arctic regions.
White-fronted goose (Anser albifrons): 26-34 inches. Grey-brown goose with pink bill, white on the front of the face just above the bill. The only N. American goose with irregular black bars or blotches on its grey underparts. Orange or yellow feet. Siberian and N. American species, a bird of the West and not often seen east of the Mississippi River. Breeding grounds in Alaska, winters in Mexico. Utters peculiar “laughing” notes and loud melancholy “Wah, wah, wah”.
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