Egyptian Goose vs Mallard
Alopochen aegyptiaca compared with Anas platyrhynchos
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Egyptian Goose | Mallard |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Alopochen aegyptiaca | Anas platyrhynchos |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 58.0 cm (22.8 in) |
| Wingspan | 71.2 cm (28.0 in) | 90.0 cm (35.4 in) |
| Weight | 2021.3333333333333 g (71.30 oz) | 1100.0 g (38.80 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on seeds, grasses, and invertebrates; forages on land and water; diet shifts between terrestrial … | Omnivorous — aquatic plants, seeds, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Feeds by dabbling, upending, and grazing … |
| Clutch Size | 5-14 | 4-18 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
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.
Mallard
Nearly any wetland habitat including lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, estuaries, and urban park ponds.
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.
Mallard
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.
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.
Mallard
Native across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Introduced to Australia and New Zealand.
Conservation Status
Egyptian Goose
Mallard
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.
Mallard
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.
Broad, flat bill — yellow-green in males, orange-brown in females
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.
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.