There are 2 families in the Order Anseriformes. They are Family Dendrocygnidae (whistling ducks) and Family Anatidae (ducks and geese).

FAMILY DENDROCYGNIDAE

Whistling ducks are long-necked goose-like ducks that have a specialized windpipe (trachea) enabling them to produce a recognizable multi-tuned whistle. They usually sit at areas of suitable vegetation such as freshwater wetlands where they will feed at the surface, by diving or up-ending. They are monogamous birds with pairs bonding for long periods. Nests (for life) are made in ground vegetation, over water or in trees. Females produce between 4 to 16 whitish eggs. There are 3 species from this family found in Namibia. They are:

• Fulvous duck (Dendrocygna bicolor)
• White-faced duck (Dendrocygna viduata)
• White-backed duck (Thalassornis leuconotus)

FAMILY ANATIDAE

These are small to very large water birds, with relatively short legs and 3 webbed toes. Medium to long necks are supported on long, broad bodies. The wings are pointed, but small and bills are broad and blunt. They are solitary nesters, usually concealed in vegetation either in or not far from water. These birds mate in the water and females usually produce between 4 and 13 whitish eggs, incubated by the females. There are 14 species from this family found in Namibia. They are:

• Maccoa duck (Oxyura maccoa)
• Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegypticaca)
• South African shelduck (Tadorna cana)
• Spur-winged goose (Plectropterus gambensis)
• Comb duck (Sarkidiornis melanotos)
• African Pygmy-goose (Nettapus auritus)
• Cape teal (Anas capensis)
• African black duck (Anas sparsa)
• Yellow-billed duck (Anas undulata)
• Cape shoveller (Anas smithii)
• Northern shoveller (Anas clypeata)
• Red-billed teal (Anas erythrorhyncha)
• Hottentot teal (Anas hottentota)
• Southern pochard (Netta erythrophthalma)

Namibia Safaris