Ducks part of a group of birds called waterfowl, because they are normally found in places with water like ponds, streams and rivers.

Male ducks are called drakes and usually have more colorful feathers than the females. These birds have webbed feet that act like paddles and water-proof feathers that help keep their skin dry and warm.

Geese are the middle-sized waterfowl; larger than ducks and smaller than swans. Many birds have 'goose' in their name, but only some of them are true geese.

The male is often called a gander; the female is the goose; and the young are called goslings. Geese on the ground are a gaggle, but in flight they are called a wedge or skein.

Sea ducks are a tribe of waterfowl (Mergini) that live in the northern hemisphere. They are also called diving ducks, because they dive under the water to catch food.

There are 20 species of sea ducks, including eiders, scoters, smew, mergansers, and goldeneyes. More than half of these species are threatened or endangered. One, the Labrador Duck, is extinct.

Swans are the largest of the waterfowl and, some believe, the most beautiful. Males are called cobs, females are pens, and the young are cygnets.

There are nine species of swans. The Whooper, Trumpeter, Tundra, Mute, Bewick's, and Jankowski's live in the northern hemisphere; the Black-necked, Black, and Coscoroba live in the southern.

The most commonly seen member of the group is the Mute Swan. Its curving neck that has the most vertebra (23) of any bird.