Editing Fowl (section)

==Characteristics==
While they are quite diverse [[ecological]]ly and consequently, in an adaptation to their different lifestyles, also [[morphology (biology)|morphologically]] and [[ethological]]ly, some features still unite water- and landfowl. Many of these, however, are [[plesiomorph]]ic for [[Neornithes]] as a whole, and are also shared with [[paleognath]]s.{{citation needed|date=January 2011}}
*Galloanserae are very prolific; they regularly produce [[clutch (eggs)|clutch]]es of more than five or even more than 10 eggs, which is a lot for such sizeable birds. By comparison, [[birds of prey]] and [[pigeon]]s rarely lay more than two eggs.
*While most living birds are [[Monogamy in animals|monogamous]], at least for a breeding season, many Galloanserae are notoriously [[Polygyny in animals|polygynous]] or [[polyandry in animals|polyandrous]]. To [[ornithologist]]s, this is particularly well known in [[dabbling duck]]s, where the males band together occasionally to forcefully mate with unwilling females. The general public is probably most familiar with the polygynous habits of [[domestic chicken]]s, where usually one or two [[rooster]]s are kept with a whole flock of females.
*[[Hybrid (biology)|Hybridization]] is extremely frequent in the Galloanserae, and [[genera]], not usually known to produce viable hybrids in birds, can be brought to interbreed with comparative ease. [[Guineafowl]] have successfully produced hybrids with domestic fowl and [[Indian peafowl]], to which they are not particularly closely related as [[Galliformes]] go. This is an important factor complicating [[mtDNA]] [[DNA sequence|sequence]]-based research on their relationships. The [[mallard]]s of [[North America]], for example, are apparently mostly derived from some males which arrived from [[Siberia]], settled down, and mated with [[American black duck]] ancestors.<ref>Kulikova, I. ''et al.'' (2005)</ref> ''See also'' [[Gamebird hybrids]].
*Galloanserae young are remarkably [[wiktionary:precocious|precocious]]. Anseriform young are able to swim and dive a few hours after hatching, and the hatchlings of [[Megapodidae|mound-builders]] (megapodes) are fully feathered and even able to fly for prolonged distances as soon as they emerge from the nest mound.