British Birds - Ducks, Swans and Grebes

This bird nests at the water's edge, since its legs are set very far back and it cannot walk well. Do you know what it is? The answer is at question 9

British Birds - Ducks, Swans and Grebes

Swans are the largest members of the duck family Anatidae, and are among the largest flying birds. In Hinduism they are compared to saintly persons whose chief characteristic is to be in the world without getting attached to it, just as a swan's feather does not get wet in water. When preening, grebes eat their own feathers, and feed them to their young. The function of this behaviour is uncertain.

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  1. What is the name of this bird?

    Photograph courtesy of Unknown
    • Group: Grebes
    • Binomial: Podiceps auritus
    • Order: Podicipediformes
    • Family: Podicipedidae
    • Status: Resident Breeder And Winter Visitor
    • The male's call is an odd, striking series of loud croaks and chattering notes followed by prolonged shrieks.
    • Folk names of this bird include devil-diver, hell-diver and water witch.

  2. What is the name of this bird?

    Photograph courtesy of Unknown
    • Group: Grebes
    • Binomial: Podiceps grisegena
    • Order: Podicipediformes
    • Family: Podicipedidae
    • Status: Winter Visitor, Has Bred
    • Fewer than 20 individuals spend the summer in the UK each year.
    • Its small wing area means that it is unable to take off from land and needs a lengthy run across water to gain the speed needed for take-off.

  3. What is the name of this bird?

    Photograph courtesy of http://photo-natur.de/
    • Group: Grebes
    • Binomial: Podiceps cristatus
    • Order: Podicipediformes
    • Family: Podicipedidae
    • Status: Resident Breeder And Winter Visitor
    • They have an elaborate courtship display in which they rise out of the water and shake their heads.
    • The very young often ride on their parents' backs.

  4. What is the name of this bird?

    Photograph courtesy of http://www.marekszczepanek.pl/
    • Group: Grebes
    • Binomial: Podiceps nigricollis
    • Order: Podicipediformes
    • Family: Podicipedidae
    • Status: Resident Breeder And Winter Visitor
    • It is essentially flightless for most of the year (9 to 10 months).
    • This bird avoids flying at all costs and reserves long distance flight exclusively for migration.

  5. What is the name of this bird?

    Photograph courtesy of Maga-Chan
    • Group: Ducks, Geese and Swans
    • Binomial: Cygnus columbianus
    • Order: Anseriformes
    • Family: Anatidae
    • Status: Winter Visitor
    • When migrating these birds can fly at altitudes of 8 km (nearly 27,000 ft).
    • In the breeding season, they tend to be aggressive to many animals who pass by; outside the breeding season they are rather gregarious birds.

  6. What is the name of this bird?

    Photograph courtesy of Pete Mella
    • Group: Ducks, Geese and Swans
    • Binomial: Cygnus cygnus
    • Order: Anseriformes
    • Family: Anatidae
    • Status: Winter Visitor
    • These birds require large areas of water to live in, especially when they are still growing, because their body weight cannot be supported by their legs for extended periods of time.
    • They have a deep honking call.

  7. What is the name of this bird?

    Photograph courtesy of John Anderson
    • Group: Ducks, Geese and Swans
    • Binomial: Melanitta fusca
    • Order: Anseriformes
    • Family: Anatidae
    • Status: Winter Visitor
    • It forms large flocks on coastal waters.
    • These are tightly packed and the birds tend to take off together.
    • The lined nest is built on the ground close to the sea, lakes or rivers, in woodland or tundra.

  8. What is the name of this bird?

    Photograph courtesy of Thermos
    • Group: Ducks, Geese and Swans
    • Binomial: Mergellus albellus
    • Order: Anseriformes
    • Family: Anatidae
    • Status: Winter Visitor
    • Sometimes birds move here from Holland and Denmark to escape freezing weather.
    • The drake, with its 'cracked ice' appearance, is unmistakable and looks very black-and-white in flight.

  9. What is the name of this bird?

    Photograph courtesy of Benutzer:BS Thurner Hof
    • Group: Grebes
    • Binomial: Tachybaptus ruficollis
    • Order: Podicipediformes
    • Family: Podicipedidae
    • Status: Resident Breeder And Winter Visitor
    • Often appears to have a 'fluffy' rear end.
    • It nests at the water's edge, since its legs are set very far back and it cannot walk well.

  10. What is the name of this bird?

    Photograph courtesy of Sanchezn
    • Group: Ducks, Geese and Swans
    • Binomial: Cygnus olor
    • Order: Anseriformes
    • Family: Anatidae
    • Status: Resident Breeding Species
    • The birds in the moat at the Bishops Palace at Wells Cathedral in Wells, Somerset have for centuries been trained to ring bells via strings attached to them to beg for food. Two swans are still able to ring for lunch.
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