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Waterfowl Sensitivity Training

Understanding & Respect

Welcome to the official Waterfowl Sensitivity Training course. In a world where misganders happen daily, it's time we learn to recognize, respect, and properly identify our feathered friends.

In this training, you will learn:

How to tell ducks, geese, swans, and loons apart
How to respond to common scenarios
Put your knowledge to the test with our quiz

"In a world full of misganders, be the one who honks back with kindness."

—The Waterfowl Sensitivity Training Committee

Know Your Waterfowl

Wadlidation starts with correct identification. Use this quick reference guide:

Feature	🦆 Duck	🪿 Goose	🦢 Swan	🐦‍⬛ Loon
Size	Smaller	Large	Largest	Medium
Neck	Short	Long	Very long	Medium
Sound	Quack	Honk	Trumpet	Yodel/Wail
Plumage	Varied colors	Gray/brown	White	Black/white checkered
Eyes	Dark	Dark	Dark	Red
Habitat	Ponds	Fields/water	Lakes	Northern lakes
Behavior	Chill	Will choose violence	Elegant	Solitary diver

💡 Pro Tip: Neck length is key! Swans have the longest necks, followed by geese. Loons are unique with their red eyes and haunting calls. And remember: assertive behavior is boundary-setting, not aggression.

Sensitivity Scenarios

How would you respond in these real-world situations? Click each scenario to expand and learn the ideal response.

🎂 Scenario 1: The Birthday Party ▼

You're at a park for a birthday party. A child points at a Canada goose and yells, "Look at that big duck!" The parent laughs and says, "Sure is!"

What's the honk-roaggression?

The parent is reinforcing the misgander by agreeing with the incorrect identification, dismissing the goose's actual identity.

Ideal Response: Gently say, "Actually, that's a goose! You can tell because of its long neck and the honking sound it makes. Ducks are smaller and go quack!"

🍞 Scenario 2: The Well-Meaning Feeder ▼

A person at a pond is throwing bread to all the birds while saying, "Come here, ducks!" There are clearly three mallards and two geese present.

What's the issue?

The feeder is using "duck" as a default term, erasing the geese's identity. This is a form of species lumping.

Ideal Response: "Looks like you've got some geese here too! The bigger ones with long necks are geese. Also, bread isn't great for them—seeds or lettuce are healthier!"

💼 Scenario 3: The Office Debate ▼

A coworker sees a photo on your desk of you at a lake with a goose. They say, "Cute! I love ducks." You correct them. They roll their eyes and say, "Same thing."

How do you handle dismissiveness about waterfowl identity?

The dismissive "same thing" response minimizes the importance of correct identification and the distinct identities of different species.

Ideal Response: "They're actually pretty different! Geese are bigger, have longer necks, and honk instead of quack. It's an easy mix-up, but once you know the differences, you'll spot them everywhere."

Quiz: Match the Feature

Click on a feature, then click on Duck or Goose to place it. Match all features correctly!

Short neck

Long neck

Very long neck

Quacks

Honks

Trumpets

Yodels/Wails

Smaller size

Large size

Largest size

Generally chill

Will choose violence

Elegant

Excellent diver

White plumage

Checkered pattern

Red eyes

Dark eyes

🦆 Duck

🪿 Goose