Egyptian Goose vs African Black Duck
Alopochen aegyptiaca compared with Anas sparsa
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Egyptian Goose | African Black Duck |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Alopochen aegyptiaca | Anas sparsa |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 71.2 cm (28.0 in) | 49.5 cm (19.5 in) |
| Weight | 2021.3333333333333 g (71.30 oz) | 996.8333333333334 g (35.16 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on seeds, grasses, and invertebrates; forages on land and water; diet shifts between terrestrial … | -- |
| Clutch Size | 5-14 | 4-9 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Egyptian Goose
Native to sub-Saharan Africa and the Nile Valley; also introduced in western Europe. Freshwater margins, agricultural fields, parks, and golf courses. Highly adaptable; common near human habitation.
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.
Song & Call Comparison
Egyptian Goose
A harsh, honking 'haw-haw' from males; females give a reedy, nasal 'kink-kink'. Very vocal and aggressive; pairs call repeatedly near nest sites in African wetlands.
African Black Duck
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.
Geographic Range & Migration
Egyptian Goose
Formerly bred in eastern North America; range collapsed in the 19th century. Extinct by 1914; last wild individual shot in 1900.
African Black Duck
Conservation Status
Egyptian Goose
African Black Duck
How to Tell Them Apart
Egyptian Goose
Pale grayish-brown with chestnut-brown patch around eye and dark chestnut patch on breast center. Wings show large white patch and black-and-green speculum in flight. Pinkish bill and legs. Sexes similar.
African Black Duck
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 …
About These Birds
Egyptian Goose
A large conspicuous sheldgoose-like bird with brown-and-white body, dark eye patches, a chestnut patch on the chest, and pink bill and legs. Native to Africa and the Nile Valley; widely introduced to Europe. Aggressive and territorial; found in urban parks. Feeds by grazing on grass.
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.