Mallard vs Knob-billed Duck

Anas platyrhynchos مقارنةً بـ Sarkidiornis melanotos

Side-by-Side Comparison

السمة Mallard Knob-billed Duck
الاسم العلمي Anas platyrhynchos Sarkidiornis melanotos
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) 64,2 cm (25.3 in)
الوزن 1100,0 g (38.80 oz) 1817,5 g (64.11 oz)
النظام الغذائي Omnivorous — aquatic plants, seeds, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Feeds by dabbling, upending, and grazing … --
عدد البيض في الوضع 4-18 6-20
Population Trend

Size Comparison

Body Length
Mallard 58,0 cm
Knob-billed Duck
طول الجناح
Mallard 90,0 cm
Knob-billed Duck 64,2 cm
الوزن
Mallard 1100,0 g
Knob-billed Duck 1817,5 g

Habitat Comparison

الموائل المشتركة

Mallard only

Knob-billed Duck only

Mallard

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

Knob-billed Duck

Freshwater lakes, marshes, floodplains, and forested wetlands across sub-Saharan Africa and South and Southeast Asia from India to southern China. Nests in large tree hollows near water.

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.

Knob-billed Duck

الغناء

A low, grunting 'wuk' or soft, nasal 'krank'. Similar to Comb Duck in call quality. Generally quiet; calls are not loud or distinctive compared to other large African waterfowl.

Geographic Range & Migration

Mallard

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

Knob-billed Duck

حالة الحفاظ

Least Concern

Mallard

Least Concern

Knob-billed Duck

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

Knob-billed Duck

الريش

Males have white head with black spots; iridescent dark blue-black back and wings; white underparts with gray flanks. Large black fleshy knob atop bill. Females smaller, brown, and lack the …

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.

Knob-billed Duck

Old World equivalent of the Comb Duck, with iridescent black-and-white body and the male's distinctive bill knob. Found across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Uses tree cavities for nesting. Gregarious outside breeding season; forms large flocks at seasonal wetlands.

Related Comparisons

More Birds to Explore

Explore the Nature FYI Family