Mallard vs Australasian Shoveler

Anas platyrhynchos مقارنةً بـ Spatula rhynchotis

Side-by-Side Comparison

السمة Mallard Australasian Shoveler
الاسم العلمي Anas platyrhynchos Spatula rhynchotis
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) 44,8 cm (17.6 in)
الوزن 1100,0 g (38.80 oz) 678,0 g (23.92 oz)
النظام الغذائي Omnivorous — aquatic plants, seeds, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Feeds by dabbling, upending, and grazing … --
عدد البيض في الوضع 4-18 5-13
Population Trend

Size Comparison

Body Length
Mallard 58,0 cm
Australasian Shoveler
طول الجناح
Mallard 90,0 cm
Australasian Shoveler 44,8 cm
الوزن
Mallard 1100,0 g
Australasian Shoveler 678,0 g

Habitat Comparison

الموائل المشتركة

Mallard only

بلا

Australasian Shoveler only

بلا

Mallard

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

Australasian Shoveler

Freshwater and brackish wetlands, lakes, and marshes across southern and eastern Australia and New Zealand. Nomadic in Australia; follows seasonal flooding. Often on permanent lakes and coastal lagoons.

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.

Australasian Shoveler

الغناء

Male emits a soft, muffled tok; female gives a series of rapid, descending quacks. The female's characteristic quacking laugh is similar to the Northern Shoveler but slightly lower pitched.

Geographic Range & Migration

Mallard

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

Australasian Shoveler

حالة الحفاظ

Least Concern

Mallard

Least Concern

Australasian Shoveler

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

Australasian Shoveler

الريش

Males have slate-blue head with white crescent before eye; rich rufous-brown below with white breast spot. Blue forewing and green speculum. Females mottled brown. Long spatulate bill bluish-gray. Dimorphic.

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.

Australasian Shoveler

A medium-sized shoveler with the distinctive large bill. Males are brownish with blue-grey wing patches and white facial crescent; females are mottled brown. Found in Australia and New Zealand. Nomadic within Australia; follows seasonal inland flooding.

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