Mauritius Shelduck vs Mallard
Alopochen mauritiana compared with Anas platyrhynchos
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Mauritius Shelduck | Mallard |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Alopochen mauritiana | Anas platyrhynchos |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Extinct | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 58.0 cm (22.8 in) |
| Wingspan | — | 90.0 cm (35.4 in) |
| Weight | — | 1100.0 g (38.80 oz) |
| Diet | Extinct Mauritius shelduck; likely grazed on grasses and aquatic plants near wetlands; diet inferred from … | Omnivorous — aquatic plants, seeds, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Feeds by dabbling, upending, and grazing … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 4-18 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Mauritius Shelduck
Historically inhabited wetlands, rivers, and lowland areas of Mauritius. Now extinct; last records from the early colonial period.
Mallard
Nearly any wetland habitat including lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, estuaries, and urban park ponds.
Song & Call Comparison
Mauritius Shelduck
Extinct (EX); no vocalizations documented. The Mauritius Shelduck was last seen in the 1690s. Any description would be speculative given total absence of written records.
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
Mauritius Shelduck
Formerly endemic to Mauritius, Indian Ocean. Extinct; known only from 17th-century accounts and subfossil bones found on the island.
Mallard
Native across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Introduced to Australia and New Zealand.
Conservation Status
Mauritius Shelduck
Mallard
How to Tell Them Apart
Mauritius Shelduck
Extinct Mascarene shelduck known only from fossil and subfossil remains. Likely brownish plumage similar to Egyptian Goose relatives; presumed sexual dimorphism. Extinct by late 17th century.
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
Mauritius Shelduck
An extinct shelduck formerly endemic to Mauritius. Known from subfossil bones and historical records from the 17th century. Likely resembled the Egyptian Goose. Went extinct after European colonization due to hunting and introduced predators. No description of living birds exists.
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.