Egyptian Goose vs Black-headed Duck
Alopochen aegyptiaca compared with Heteronetta atricapilla
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Egyptian Goose | Black-headed Duck |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Alopochen aegyptiaca | Heteronetta atricapilla |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 71.2 cm (28.0 in) | 34.7 cm (13.7 in) |
| Weight | 2021.3333333333333 g (71.30 oz) | 528.5 g (18.64 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on seeds, grasses, and invertebrates; forages on land and water; diet shifts between terrestrial … | Parasitic; adults may feed on aquatic plants, seeds, and invertebrates in South American marshes. Diet … |
| Clutch Size | 5-14 | 2 |
| 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.
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.
Black-headed Duck
Male gives a soft, raspy peeping note; female produces a muted quack. An obligate brood parasite with reduced vocalizations; subdued calls suit its secretive lifestyle among Argentine reeds.
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.
Black-headed Duck
Resident in southern South America from southern Brazil and Bolivia south to Argentina and Chile. Found on lakes and marshes in open lowlands.
Conservation Status
Egyptian Goose
Black-headed 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.
Black-headed Duck
Male has distinctive jet-black head and neck, warm chestnut-brown back, and pale buff underparts; blue-grey bill with red base. Female is streaked brown above with pale supercilium and whitish underparts.
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.
Black-headed Duck
A small diving duck (~530 g) of South America, family Anatidae, and the sole member of genus Heteronetta. Inhabits freshwater marshes and lakes in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay. Unique among waterfowl as an obligate brood parasite, laying eggs in nests of coots and other waterbirds. Feeds on seeds and aquatic invertebrates. Least Concern.