Andaman Teal vs Mute Swan
Anas albogularis compared with Cygnus olor
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Andaman Teal | Mute Swan |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anas albogularis | Cygnus olor |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 152.0 cm (59.8 in) |
| Wingspan | 37.4 cm (14.7 in) | 235.0 cm (92.5 in) |
| Weight | 370.0 g (13.05 oz) | 11000.0 g (388.01 oz) |
| Diet | Eats molluscs, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates by diving; diet dominated by hard-shelled benthic invertebrates. | Submerged aquatic vegetation, algae, and grass. Feeds by upending in shallow water, reaching depths of … |
| Clutch Size | 7-8 | 5-7 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Andaman Teal
Freshwater pools, rice paddies, coastal marshes, and mangrove-fringed inlets on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bay of Bengal. Non-migratory; restricted entirely to this island group.
Mute Swan
Lakes, slow rivers, estuaries, and coastal lagoons. Often associated with parks and ornamental waters in Europe.
Song & Call Comparison
Andaman Teal
Female produces a soft, descending quacking series; male gives a subdued whistle. Low-pitched, unobtrusive calls rarely heard; this Near Threatened island teal is generally quiet.
Mute Swan
Despite its name, not truly mute: gives hissing snorts and low grunting when threatened. Wings produce a loud rhythmic whistling throbbing sound in flight.
Geographic Range & Migration
Andaman Teal
Breeds in boreal forest wetlands of central Canada; winters along the Atlantic coast from New England to the Caribbean.
Mute Swan
Native to Europe and western Asia. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Conservation Status
Andaman Teal
Mute Swan
How to Tell Them Apart
Andaman Teal
Dark brown mottled plumage; pale throat and face contrasting with dark crown. Iridescent green speculum. Bill gray; legs grayish. Sexes similar. Endemic to Andaman Islands; near-threatened island population.
Mute Swan
All-white plumage in adults. Cygnets are grey-brown, gradually whitening over the first year. Graceful S-curved neck posture is distinctive.
Orange bill with a prominent black knob at the base, larger in males
About These Birds
Andaman Teal
A small dark brown teal with a white throat and chin patch, green speculum, and dark bill. Endemic to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal. Vulnerable; threatened by habitat loss and hunting. One of the least-known ducks in Asia.
Mute Swan
The mute swan is one of the heaviest flying birds, with males weighing up to 14 kg. Despite its name, it is not truly mute, producing hissing, grunting, and snorting sounds. Mute swans form lifelong pair bonds and their aggressive defense of nesting territory is well known.