IDENTIFICATION

WILDFOWL IDENTIFICATION

Cranes
There have been five types of Cranes at WWT Slimbridge in recent years, the Black-Crowned Crane, Demoiselle Crane, Eurasian Crane, Grey-Crowned Crane and the Red-Crowned Crane.
Click Images for Identification


Dabbling Ducks
Dabbling Ducks (sub-family - Anatinae) consist of fifty to sixty species of duck which include Gadwall, Garganey, Mallard, Pintails, Shovelers, Teal, and Wigeon many of which can be found at WWT Slimbridge.
Click Images for Identification


Diving Ducks
There are about sixteen species of Diving Duck (Subfamily: Aythyinae) including the Canvasback, Ferruginous Duck, Hardhead, Marbled Duck, Pochard (Baer's, Common, Madagascar, Red-crested, and Southern), Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Rosybill, Scaup (Greater, Lesser, and New Zealand), and the Tufted Duck, the majority found at WWT Slimbridge.
Click Images for Identification


Flamingos
There are six species of Flamingo, the American Flamingo (Caribbean Flamingo), Andean Flamingo, Chilean Flamingo, Greater Flamingo, James's Flamingo (Puna Flamingo), and Lesser Flamingo all found at WWT Slimbridge.
Click Images for Identification


Geese
There are numerous geese around WWT Slimbridge, these include Grey Geese (Anser), Black Geese (Branta), White Geese (Chen).
Click Images for Identification


Sea Ducks
Sea Ducks (sub-family - Merginae) include Bufflehead, Eiders , Goldeneyes (Barrow's and Common), Mergansers (Common and Hooded), and Smew found at WWT Slimbridge
Click Images for Identification


Shelducks
The Shelducks are part of the 'Tadorna' genus and the following can be found at WWT S;imbridge, Australian Shelduck, Common Shelduck, Radjah Shelduck, Ruddy Shelduck, and South African Shelduck.
Click Images for Identification


Shovelers
There are three species of Shoveler found at WWT Slimbridge, Australian Shoveler, Northern Shoveler and Red Shoveler.
Click Images for Identification


Swans
At WWT Slimbridge the following Swans can be seen, Black-necked Swan, Black Swan, Mute Swan, Trumpeter Swan, Bewick's Swan, Whistling Swan, and the Whooper Swan. The Coscoroba Swan is a distant relative of the Swan and can also be seen.
Click Images for Identification


Whistling Ducks
There are eight species of Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna), the Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Fulvous Whistling Duck, Lesser Whistling Duck, Plumed Whistling Duck, Spotted Whistling Duck, Wandering Whistling Duck, West Indian Whistling Duck, and the White-faced Whistling Duck all found at WWT Slimbridge.
Click Images for Identification


Wildfowl are listed in alphabetical order on the Wildfowl Index and also for convenience grouped below:

A-B  | C-F  | G-L  | M-R  | S-Z

Wildfowl Lists
To aid finding and identifying wildfowl at WWT Slimbridge, various Lists have been compiled recording where and when the wildfowl were last seen during our various visits:-

Spotted Whistling Duck (Slimbridge May 2018)Pink-Footed Goose (Slimbridge November 2017)Whistling Swan (Slimbridge March 2019)
Duck List
Geese List
Swan List





Fatbirder's Top 1000 Birding Websites


ANATOMY

Wildfowl Anatomy - Head
Wildfowl Anatomy - Body
Wildfowl Anatomy - Wing

Having Trouble?
If you are still having difficulty identifying a Duck, Goose or Swan at WWT Slimbridge, send a photograph to the below email address and I will do my best to identify it for you:


To aid identification, please:-
i) Attach a clear photograph,
ii) State whereabouts in WWT Slimbridge the photo was taken.




Waterlife Magazine
Waterlife is WWT’s flagship publication which keeps members up to date with the pioneering conservation work they support, all the exciting things going on at the centres, and learning more about wetlands and wildlife.


Latest Waterlife Issue - Click Image to View





You can help to protect wetland habitats in the UK and around the World by becoming a member of the WWT, visit official WWT site for details.