Encyclopedia > Oxyurinae

  Article Content

Oxyurinae

Stiff-tailed Ducks
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Anseriformes
Family:Anatidae
Subfamily:Oxyurinae
Genera
Oxyura
Biziura
Heteronetta
Stictonetta

Oxyurinae is a sub-family of the duck, goose and swan family of birds, Anatidae.

Most of its members are stiff-tailed ducks, which have, as their name implies, long stiff tail feathers, which are erected when the bird is at rest. Most have relatively large swollen bills. The exception is Black-headed Duck which looks more like a typical duck with a short tail and normal bill.

These are all freshwater diving ducks. Their legs are set far back, making them awkward on land, so they rarely leave the water.

Their unusual displays involve drumming noises from inflatable throat-sacs, head throwing, and erecting short crests. Most display singly, but Musk Ducks "lek" in groups.

Oxyurinae contains the following genera



All Wikipedia text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License

 
  Search Encyclopedia

Search over one million articles, find something about almost anything!
 
 
  
  Featured Article
1904

... table May 19 - Auguste Molinier, French historian July 14 - Anton Chekhov, Russian playwright and short story writer July 22 - Wilson Barrett, actor August 22 ...

 
 
 
This page was created in 53.5 ms