Mallard vs Eurasian Wigeon

Anas platyrhynchos مقارنةً بـ Mareca penelope

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Side-by-Side Comparison

السمة Mallard Eurasian Wigeon
الاسم العلمي Anas platyrhynchos Mareca penelope
الرتبة Anseriformes Anseriformes
الفصيلة Anatidae Anatidae
حالة الحفاظ Least Concern Least Concern
الطول 58,0 cm (22.8 in)
طول الجناح 90,0 cm (35.4 in) 50,1 cm (19.7 in)
الوزن 1100,0 g (38.80 oz) 783,75 g (27.65 oz)
النظام الغذائي Omnivorous — aquatic plants, seeds, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Feeds by dabbling, upending, and grazing … Feeds on seeds, aquatic plants, and invertebrates in shallow ponds; broadly omnivorous and seasonally variable.
عدد البيض في الوضع 4-18 6-12
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
Mallard 58,0 cm
Eurasian Wigeon
طول الجناح
Mallard 90,0 cm
Eurasian Wigeon 50,1 cm
الوزن
Mallard 1100,0 g
Eurasian Wigeon 783,75 g
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Habitat Comparison

الموائل المشتركة

Mallard only

بلا

Eurasian Wigeon only

Mallard

Nearly any wetland habitat including lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, estuaries, and urban park ponds.

Eurasian Wigeon

Breeds on boreal and subarctic lakes and bogs across Eurasia from Iceland east to Siberia. Winters in huge numbers on estuaries, lakes, and coastal grasslands in western Europe and South and Southeast Asia.

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Song & Call Comparison

Mallard

الغناء

Female gives the classic 'quack-quack-quack', descending in pitch. Male utters soft nasal 'raeb-raeb'. Both give a high 'gag-gag-gag' when alarmed or taking flight.

Eurasian Wigeon

الغناء

Male produces a clear, ringing whee-oo whistle; female gives a low, guttural purr. The male's bright, piping call is the classic sound of European winter estuaries and flocks.

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Geographic Range & Migration

Mallard

Native across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Introduced to Australia and New Zealand.

Eurasian Wigeon

Resident in New Zealand's main islands and some offshore islands. Non-migratory; inhabits rivers, lakes, and estuaries.

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حالة الحفاظ

Least Concern

Mallard

Least Concern

Eurasian Wigeon

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How to Tell Them Apart

Mallard

الريش

Breeding males have an iridescent green head, white neck ring, chestnut breast, and grey body. Females are mottled brown. Both sexes show a blue speculum bordered by white.

المنقار

Broad, flat bill — yellow-green in males, orange-brown in females

Eurasian Wigeon

الريش

Males have chestnut head with creamy-yellow forehead blaze; pink-buff breast; gray flanks; white belly. White forewing patch conspicuous in flight. Females rufous-brown. Compact with small bill. Dimorphic.

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About These Birds

Mallard

The mallard is the ancestor of most domestic duck breeds and the most abundant and widespread dabbling duck in the world. Males perform elaborate courtship displays including head-bobbing and whistle-grunt calls. Mallards are highly adaptable, thriving in both wilderness and urban environments.

Eurasian Wigeon

A medium-sized compact duck. Males have a chestnut head with creamy-yellow forehead blaze, pink breast, grey body, and white wing patch. Highly migratory; one of Europe's most abundant wintering ducks. Grazes on short grass and aquatic vegetation.

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