African Black Duck vs White-backed Duck

Anas sparsa مقارنةً بـ Thalassornis leuconotus

Side-by-Side Comparison

السمة African Black Duck White-backed Duck
الاسم العلمي Anas sparsa Thalassornis leuconotus
الرتبة Anseriformes Anseriformes
الفصيلة Anatidae Anatidae
حالة الحفاظ Least Concern Least Concern
الطول
طول الجناح 49,5 cm (19.5 in) 33,3 cm (13.1 in)
الوزن 996,8333333333334 g (35.16 oz) 704,6666666666666 g (24.86 oz)
النظام الغذائي -- --
عدد البيض في الوضع 4-9 4-10
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

الموائل المشتركة

African Black Duck only

White-backed Duck only

بلا

African Black Duck

Fast-flowing rocky rivers and streams, mountain gorges, and waterfalls from sea level to 4,000 m across sub-Saharan Africa from Ethiopia and Kenya south to the Cape. Requires clear turbulent water with boulders.

White-backed Duck

Freshwater lakes, ponds, and swamps with abundant floating aquatic vegetation, especially water lilies, in sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. Prefers shallow sheltered water with emergent vegetation for cover.

Song & Call Comparison

African Black Duck

الغناء

Produces a harsh, resonant quacking call; alarm is a loud, emphatic quack repeated rapidly. Both sexes call with strong quacking; pairs duet with synchronized calls along African rivers.

White-backed Duck

الغناء

Soft, low whistles and hissing sounds. The White-backed Duck is relatively quiet compared to whistling-ducks. Alarm call is a low 'peep'. Mostly heard at night.

حالة الحفاظ

Least Concern

African Black Duck

Least Concern

White-backed Duck

How to Tell Them Apart

African Black Duck

الريش

Dark blackish-brown plumage with bold white spots on back and scapulars. Iridescent blue-green speculum with white borders. Head dark with pale spots. Bill and legs dark gray. Sexes similar. Fast-flowing …

White-backed Duck

الريش

Heavily mottled and barred brown and buff overall. Diagnostic white back patch visible in flight. Head brown with whitish face and chin. Stiff tail held erect. Sexes similar; stiff-tail diving …

About These Birds

African Black Duck

A medium-sized dark brown duck with white spots on the back, a dark bill, and orange legs. Found along fast-flowing rocky rivers and streams in Africa. Territorial and monogamous; pairs defend stretches of river. Related to Pacific Black Duck.

White-backed Duck

A small compact brown-barred diving duck with a distinctive white back visible in flight and a large dark-blotched bill. Shy and easily overlooked among floating aquatic vegetation. An expert diver, feeding on water-lily seeds and tubers in African freshwater wetlands.

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