Egyptian Goose vs Spotted Whistling-duck
Alopochen aegyptiaca compared with Dendrocygna guttata
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Egyptian Goose | Spotted Whistling-duck |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Alopochen aegyptiaca | Dendrocygna guttata |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 71.2 cm (28.0 in) | 41.3 cm (16.3 in) |
| Weight | 2021.3333333333333 g (71.30 oz) | 677.5 g (23.90 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on seeds, grasses, and invertebrates; forages on land and water; diet shifts between terrestrial … | Primarily herbivorous; grazes tundra grasses and sedges; winters on coastal marshes and farmland, switching to … |
| Clutch Size | 5-14 | 10-11 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Egyptian Goose only
None
Spotted Whistling-duck only
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.
Spotted Whistling-duck
Freshwater wetlands, rice fields, streams, and forest pools in New Guinea, Sulawesi, the Philippines, and Moluccas. Often found near forested rivers and seasonal swamps at low elevations.
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.
Spotted Whistling-duck
A musical, high whistle similar to other whistling-ducks. Call is softer and less far-carrying than White-faced or Black-bellied species. Given in flight and on water.
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.
Spotted Whistling-duck
Ranges widely across sub-Saharan Africa in open woodland and savanna. Largely sedentary with local seasonal movements to water.
Conservation Status
Egyptian Goose
Spotted Whistling-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.
Spotted Whistling-duck
Dark brown above; head and neck dark brown. Underparts heavily spotted white on dark brown ground, giving spotted appearance. Flanks with bold white spots. Pink-red bill and legs. Sexes similar.
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.
Spotted Whistling-duck
A small dark brown whistling-duck with bold white spots on its flanks, orange-red bill and legs, and a pale face. Found in tropical wetlands of New Guinea, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Often found near freshwater streams and flooded grassland. Less gregarious than other whistling-ducks.