The Cape Barren goose is perhaps the least aquatic of all geese — it seldom enters water, except to save its chicks. An aggressively protective parent, it chases away larger animals, including humans, by battering them with the hard "wrist" bones on its wings and pecking with its knobby beak.

Native to sub-Saharan Africa and the Nile River Valley, the Egyptian goose has now settled in N. America, much of Europe, and parts of the Middle East. Although normally quite reserved and shy, males will become boisterous and aggressive during their breeding season to attract a female.

The torrent duck is highly adapted for hunting within the fast-flowing rivers of the Andes — it kicks with powerful webbed feet, its long claws cling to slippery rocks, and its sleek body allows it to scale waterfalls. Even chicks, soon after hatching, plunge into the dangerous currents.