Kingdom Animalia Order Anseriformes Subfamily Oxyurinae Higher classification Anatinae | Phylum Chordata Family Anatidae Scientific name Oxyura Rank Genus | |
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Lower classifications Ruddy duck, White‑headed duck, Lake duck, Blue‑billed duck, Maccoa duck | ||
The stiff-tailed ducks, Oxyura, are part of the Oxyurinae subfamily of ducks. The genus name is derived from Ancient Greek oxus, "sharp", and oura, "tail".
All have, as their name implies, long, stiff tail feathers, which are erected when the bird is at rest. All have relatively large, swollen bills. These are freshwater diving ducks. Their legs are set far back, making them awkward on land, so they rarely leave the water.
Their unusual displays involve drumming noises from inflatable throat sacs, head throwing, and erecting short crests. Plumage sequences are complicated, and aging difficult. Plumage is vital for survival because of this animals tendency to spend time in the water.
The six extant members of this genus in summation are distributed widely throughout North America, South America, Australia, Asia, and much of Africa.
Species
A fossil species from the Late Pliocene or Early Pleistocene of Jalisco (Mexico) was described as Oxyura zapatanima. It resembled a small ruddy duck or, even more, an Argentine blue-bill. A larger Middle Pleistocene fossil form from the southwestern United States was described as Oxyura bessomi; it was probably quite close to the ruddy duck.
"Oxura" doksana from the Early Miocene of Dolnice (Czech Republic) cannot be assigned to any anatine subfamily with certainty.