Muscovy Duck vs African Pygmy-goose

Cairina moschata مقارنةً بـ Nettapus auritus

Side-by-Side Comparison

السمة Muscovy Duck African Pygmy-goose
الاسم العلمي Cairina moschata Nettapus auritus
الرتبة Anseriformes Anseriformes
الفصيلة Anatidae Anatidae
حالة الحفاظ Least Concern Least Concern
الطول
طول الجناح 69,0 cm (27.2 in) 29,9 cm (11.8 in)
الوزن 2140,0 g (75.49 oz) 272,5 g (9.61 oz)
النظام الغذائي -- Filter-feeds on invertebrates and seeds; dabbles in shallow ponds; diet more plant-based outside spring breeding …
عدد البيض في الوضع 8-15 6-12
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

الموائل المشتركة

Muscovy Duck only

African Pygmy-goose only

بلا

Muscovy Duck

Tropical and subtropical lowland forest near rivers, lakes, mangroves, and wetlands from Mexico through Central America to Peru, Bolivia, and Uruguay. Common near forest-edge water. Feral populations worldwide.

African Pygmy-goose

Freshwater lakes, ponds, and rivers with floating water lilies and other aquatic vegetation across sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to Tanzania. Nests in tree cavities near water. Highly dependent on water lily vegetation.

Song & Call Comparison

Muscovy Duck

الغناء

Males are nearly silent; females give a raspy, low 'grrrr' hiss when threatened. Domesticated birds familiar worldwide but wild birds are surprisingly quiet and secretive.

African Pygmy-goose

الغناء

Male produces a soft, wheezy whistle; female gives a quiet, duck-like quack. Pairs exchange rapid twittering notes during courtship on lily-covered African pools.

Geographic Range & Migration

Muscovy Duck

African Pygmy-goose

Breeds across temperate to sub-Arctic Eurasia; winters in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

حالة الحفاظ

Least Concern

Muscovy Duck

Least Concern

African Pygmy-goose

How to Tell Them Apart

Muscovy Duck

الريش

Glossy black plumage with large white wing patches. Bare red facial skin with warty caruncles, more extensive in males. Males larger; females less knobby-faced. Dark bill. Domestic forms vary widely …

African Pygmy-goose

الريش

Tiny. Males have glossy dark green head with orange facial patch and ear spot; chestnut-orange flanks; white underparts; black and green back. Females duller with dark eye-stripe. Small yellow-green bill.

About These Birds

Muscovy Duck

A large powerfully built duck with black-and-white plumage, bare red caruncles on the face of males, and strong claws for perching in trees. Native from Mexico to Peru and Uruguay. Widely domesticated worldwide; feral populations on every continent. The ancestor of domestic Muscovy ducks.

African Pygmy-goose

A tiny jewel-like duck—one of Africa's smallest waterfowl. Males have iridescent green-and-white plumage, an orange bill, and a dark green cap; females are mottled brown. Found on lily-covered lakes in sub-Saharan Africa. Perches on water lily pads and feeds on their seeds and flowers.

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