WATERFOWL


Meaning of WATERFOWL in English

n.

Any member of the family Anatidae, web-footed birds with a broad bill containing fine plates, or lamellae; usually stocky and often long-necked, including ducks , geese (see goose ), and swans .

Waterfowl feed by dabbling, diving, or grazing. Most species are social and have an array of formal displays and group cohesion signals. Almost all breed in water. The female usually selects the nest site, builds the nest from any vegetation within reach, and incubates the 3–12 eggs. Shortly after hatching, the young imprint on their mother (see imprinting ). Many species are migratory.

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia.      Краткая энциклопедия Британика.