Examples of birds with webbed feet include ducks, geese, pelicans, swans, and gulls.
Birds with webbed feet are able to swim and dive better than birds without webbed feet. Webbed feet act as paddles, allowing the bird to move through the water with more power and efficiency.
Some of the most well-known birds with webbed feet are ducks and pelicans. Ducks use their webbed feet to propel themselves through the water, while pelicans use their webbed feet as a means of walking on land. Webbed feet can also help birds stay afloat in the water, which is important for those that live near bodies of water.
Let’s take a closer look at some of these birds with webbed feet.
Examples of Birds with Webbed Feet
1. American White Pelican
| Scientific Name | Pelecanus erythrorhynchos |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | southern California, the Gulf States, Mexico, and Central America |
The American white pelican is a large bird that can be found in both North and South America. These birds have long necks and bills, and their wingspan can reach up to 3.6 meters (12 feet). Their webbed feet make them excellent swimmers, and they often use their feet to catch fish.
2. Australian Pelican
| Scientific Name | Pelecanus conspicillatus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | throughout Australia, Papua New Guinea and western Indonesia, with occasional reports in New Zealand and various western Pacific islands |
The Australian pelican has webbed feet that help it to move on land and in water. The pelican uses its webbed feet to paddle through the water and walk on land.
3. Barnacle Goose
| Scientific Name | Branta leucopsis |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Arctic coasts from northeastern Greenland east to Siberia, and wintering in northwestern Europe |
The barnacle goose is a type of goose that has black feathers and webbed feet. These birds are native to Europe and Asia, and they typically live near bodies of water.
4. Black Swan
| Scientific Name | Cygnus atratus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | southwest Australia |
The Black Swan is a species of swan that is native to Australia. They are easily recognizable by their black feathers and red beak. Black Swans have long necks and webbed feet, which help them swim through the water.
5. Black-Footed Albatross
| Scientific Name | Phoebastria nigripes |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Northwestern Hawaiian Islands |
The Black-footed albatross has the longest wingspan of any bird, reaching up to 11 feet. These birds are mostly found in the North Pacific Ocean and breed on Midway Atoll. Their diet consists mostly of squid, but they will also eat fish and crustaceans.
6. Brown Pelican
| Scientific Name | Pelecanus occidentalis |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | southern and western sea coasts |
The brown pelican is a large bird that can be found near the coastlines of North and South America. These birds have long necks and beaks, and their webbed feet allow them to dive into the water to catch fish.
7. Canada Goose
| Scientific Name | Branta canadensis |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | throughout North America, from the Arctic to Northern Mexico |
The Canada Goose is a waterbird with webbed feet that is native to North America. These birds are often seen swimming in ponds and lakes, and their webbed feet help them move through the water with ease.
8. Canvasback
| Scientific Name | Aythya valisineria |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | North America |
The canvasback is a type of duck that is easily recognizable by its red-tinged head. These birds are found in North America and Europe, and they typically inhabit areas near lakes, marshes, and ponds. The canvasback gets its name from the fact that its back is covered in a thick layer of feathers.
9. Cormorants
| Scientific Name | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean from Labrador down to the tip of Florida |
Cormorants are water birds that have long, thin bodies and webbed feet. They are excellent swimmers and can often be seen diving into the water in search of fish. Cormorants are found in both fresh and salt water environments.
10. Darters
| Scientific Name | Anhingidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | eastern North America |
Darters are a type of bird that can be found in tropical climates. They have long, thin bodies, and their wings are adapted for swimming underwater. Their webbed feet help them to move quickly through the water in search of food.
11. Domestic Duck
| Scientific Name | Anas platyrhynchos domesticus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Worldwide |
The domestic duck is a popular farm bird that is also found in many parks and ponds. These ducks have webbed feet that help them swim and dive.
12. Flamingos
| Scientific Name | Phoenicopterus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Greater flamingos are found in parts of Africa, Asia, and Europe |
Flamingos are a type of wading bird that is found in warm, wet environments. Their long legs and webbed feet help them move through the water with ease. When they are not wading, flamingos can often be seen standing on one leg.
13. Frigatebirds
| Scientific Name | Fregatidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | along coasts and islands in tropical and subtropical waters |
These birds have the longest webbed feet of any bird, which can be up to four inches (10 cm) in length. Their webbed feet help them swim and dive for fish.
14. Gannets
| Scientific Name | Morus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | North America |
These seabirds have long, pointed beaks and webbed feet that they use for fishing. They can often be seen diving into the water to catch their prey.
15. Great White Pelican
| Scientific Name | Pelecanus onocrotalus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | swamps, freshwater lakes, brackish lakes, marshes, and deltas of Africa (Asia and Europe) |
The great white pelican has webbed feet that help it walk on land, as well as paddle through the water. These birds are found in Africa, Europe, and Asia.
16. Greylag Goose
| Scientific Name | Anser anser |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and North Macedonia |
The greylag goose is a large bird that can be found in Europe and Asia. It has a wingspan of up to 2.5 meters (8 feet) and can weigh up to 7 kilograms (15 pounds). The greylag goose is mostly gray in color, with a white belly and black legs. Its webbed feet are orange.
The greylag goose is a powerful swimmer and can use its webbed feet to dive for food. It also uses its webbed feet to help it walk on slippery surfaces, such as ice or wet mud.
17. Laysan Albatross
| Scientific Name | Phoebastria immutabilis |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Pacific Ocean |
The Laysan albatross is a large seabird that can be found in the Pacific Ocean. These birds have white feathers and black wingtips. They get their name from the Laysan Island, which is where they were first discovered.
18. Mallard Ducks
| Scientific Name | Anas platyrhynchos |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | almost any body of freshwater across Asia, Europe, and North America |
The Mallard is a species of duck that is found in North America, Europe, and Asia. The male Mallard has a green head and a yellow bill, while the female Mallard has a brown head.
Both sexes have a white neck ring and an orange breasts. The webbed feet of the Mallard help it to swim and dive under the water in search of food.
19. Marbled Duck
| Scientific Name | Marmaronetta angustirostris |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | southern Europe, northern Africa, and western and central Asia |
The marbled duck is a species of waterfowl that is found in Europe, Asia, and Africa. The marbled duck gets its name from the marbled pattern on its feathers. These ducks have webbed feet that help them swim and dive.
20. Mute Swan
| Scientific Name | Cygnus olor |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | In the Pacific Northwest and from New England south to Virginia |
The mute swan is a large bird that is native to Europe and Asia. It has a wingspan of up to 8 feet and can weigh up to 23 pounds. The mute swan is all white with a black beak. Its webbed feet are orange.
21. Penguins
| Scientific Name | Spheniscidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Antarctica |
All penguins have webbed feet, which help them to swim. In fact, penguins use their webbed feet so much that they actually have a layer of fat beneath the skin to keep their feet warm in the water.
22. Petrel
| Scientific Name | Procellariiformes |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Antarctic or Arctic waters |
Petrels are a type of seabird that have long, narrow wings and webbed feet. These birds are known for their ability to fly in strong winds and harsh weather conditions. Petrels use their webbed feet to help them swim through the water in search of food.
23. Pacific Loon
| Scientific Name | Gavia pacifica |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | northern Canada and eastern Siberia, and winters along the Pacific coast of North America |
The Pacific loon is a large waterbird that is found in North America. These birds have long, webbed feet that help them swim and dive. They also have a long, sharp beak that is perfect for catching fish.
24. Puffins
| Scientific Name | Fratercula |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | North America |
Puffins are a type of seabird that is found in the northern Atlantic Ocean. Puffins have black upperparts and white underparts, with a brightly colored beak. Their webbed feet are used for swimming and diving.
25. Snow Goose
| Scientific Name | Anser caerulescens |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | the Arctic regions of North America, including Greenland |
The snow goose has webbed feet that help it move through water and mud. The webbing also helps the bird stay afloat in the water.
26. Spot-Billed Pelican
| Scientific Name | Pelecanus philippensis |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | India, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and to a lesser extent in Thailand |
The spot-billed pelican is a large bird that can be found in parts of Asia and Africa. These birds have long, webbed feet that help them to walk on land. They also use their webbed feet to help them swim and dive for fish.
27. Swan Goose
| Scientific Name | Anser cygnoides |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | inland Mongolia, northernmost China, and the Russian Far East |
The swan goose is a waterfowl that is native to Asia. It has webbed feet that help it swim and dive. The webbing on its feet also helps the swan goose walk on land.
28. Terns
| Scientific Name | Sternidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | along the Atlantic coast from Labrador to North Carolina, and inland throughout much of Canada east of the Rocky Mountains |
Terns are a type of seabird that can be found in most parts of the world. These birds have long, narrow wings and webbed feet that help them glide over the water. Terns typically eat small fish, shrimp, and other marine life.
29. The Guanay
| Scientific Name | Leucocarbo bougainvillii |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | the western coast of South America from Isla Lobos de Tierra |
The Guanay cormorant is a seabird that is found along the coast of Peru. This bird has long, webbed feet that it uses to dive for fish. The Guanay cormorant can reach depths of up to 60 meters when it is hunting for food.
30. Trumpeter Swan
| Scientific Name | Cygnus buccinator |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | wetlands in remote Alaska, Canada, and the northwestern U.S., and winter on ice-free coastal and inland waters |
The trumpeter swan is the largest member of the waterfowl family. Its wingspan can reach up to 10 feet (3 meters), and it can weigh up to 27 pounds (12 kilograms). Trumpeter swans have black beaks and legs, and their feathers are white.
More Examples Of Birds With Webbed Feet
- Tundra Swan
- Wandering Albatross
- White Seagull
- Whooper Swan
- Wood Duck
- Zarcillo Bird
Conclusion
Birds with webbed feet can be found in many different climates and environments. These birds have adapted their wings for swimming, which helps them to move quickly through the water in search of food. Some common types of birds with webbed feet include grebes, cormorants, ducks, geese, pelicans, and swans.
Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.