>Tweets -
>
>My friend sent me this question. I'm not secure enough in my terminaology
>to answer her confidently. :) Anyone have an answer? Thanks!
>
>Susan Collicott
>camel at serv.net
>Seattle, WA
>
>
>Date: Mon, 04 Nov 1996 09:02:03 PDT
>Subject: Bird terminology
>
>Question: I'm reviewing something at work that talks only about the effects
>of oil on "waterfowl" but never mentions seabirds. Is my understanding
>correct that waterfowl usually refers to ducks and such whereas seabirds
>are a different group - like albatross, fulmars, etc.? Or does "waterfowl"
>include everybody on (and near?) the water?

"Waterfowl" technically refers to the family Anatidae, the ducks, geese,
and swans. That doesn't mean that everyone writing a report on water birds
will stick to that terminology, unfortunately. "Shorebirds" is often used
for any bird that feeds at the shore, whereas I think ornithologists
restrict it to sandpipers, plovers, and their relatives. I have to waffle,
but it does seem to be a successful strategy if I ever wanted to run for
office.

Dennis Paulson, Director phone 206-756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax 206-756-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416