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Wildfowl are usually found near water although Geese also need grazing land. The water provides much of the food they need and their long necks help them reach the shellfish and vegetation that are found deep down.

Swans, Geese and Ducks can sub-divided according to size, anatomy and behaviour. There are diving ducks such as Pochards, perching ducks such as the Teal and many others. Differences between them such as length of neck, or diving ability, enable them to live together without competing for food.

Their feathers are a protection against the water, which can be very cold in winter. The preen gland just above the tail maintains an oily coating over the outer layer of feathers while underneath lies a warm, soft layer of down. Annual moults keep the feathers in good condition.

Breeding Conditions

Breeding birds in captivity can be difficult, especially with so many different kinds of wildfowl coming from such diverse environments throughout the world. However, under the care of the resident bird keepers, successful breeding has been achieved at Bentley.

Some birds, such as the Black Swans, become aggressive when breeding and need to be isolated in pens. Some pens, such as those containing the rare White-winged Wood Ducks, are overgrown, as these birds need such a habitat in order to breed.

One breeding success story is that of the Ne-ne or Hawaiian Geese. These geese were rapidly becoming extinct and in 1947 their number had dropped to 32. Three were brought to England and now there are several captive flocks, including one at Bentley, from which hundreds of birds have been returned to the lush lava flows of Hawaii.

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