Article
Article
Anseriformes
Article By:
Bock, Walter J. Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York.
Last reviewed:October 2019
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.037500
An order of birds comprising two families, the screamers (Anhimidae) of South America and the worldwide waterfowl (Anatidae). They are closely related to the Galliformes (fowls), with the screamers being a rather intermediate group. The waterfowl and the fowls are closely related within the Aves and are often placed within a distinct superorder, the Galloanserae. The large, flightless diatrymids (giant ground birds) of the early Tertiary appear to be specialized offshoots of the Anseriformes. See also: Galliformes; Gastornithiformes
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