Andean Teal vs Greater White-fronted Goose
Anas andium compared with Anser albifrons
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Andean Teal | Greater White-fronted Goose |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anas andium | Anser albifrons |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 44.8 cm (17.6 in) | 81.6 cm (32.1 in) |
| Weight | 457.0 g (16.12 oz) | 2471.0 g (87.16 oz) |
| Diet | -- | Dabbles for aquatic invertebrates, seeds, and plant material; diet shifts heavily toward invertebrates in breeding … |
| Clutch Size | 5-13 | 3-9 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Andean Teal only
None
Greater White-fronted Goose only
Andean Teal
High-altitude freshwater lakes, marshes, and boggy streams at 2,500–4,500 m in the Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Strongly associated with paramo and subpáramo wetlands.
Greater White-fronted Goose
Breeds on Arctic and subarctic tundra and peatlands. Winters on estuaries, agricultural fields, freshwater marshes, and flooded meadows across Europe, Asia, and North America. One of the most widespread geese.
Song & Call Comparison
Andean Teal
Male gives a clear, whistled note; female produces a soft quacking series. Subdued vocalizations of this high-altitude Andes teal blend with the wind across paramo lakes.
Greater White-fronted Goose
A loud, laughing 'kow-lyuk' or musical 'wah-wah'. Gives a distinctive high-pitched yodeling quality lacking in Greylag. Highly vocal in large winter flocks.
Geographic Range & Migration
Andean Teal
Greater White-fronted Goose
Breeds in the potholes region of the northern Great Plains; winters in the southern United States and along the Gulf Coast.
Conservation Status
Andean Teal
Greater White-fronted Goose
How to Tell Them Apart
Andean Teal
Brown body with fine dark spotting; head grayish-brown. Yellow bill with darker culmen. Iridescent green speculum with white front border. Legs grayish-orange. Sexes similar. High-altitude Andean specialist.
Greater White-fronted Goose
Brown-gray body with white forehead patch bordered by white band at bill base. Underparts with bold irregular black bars on belly. Orange bill; orange-yellow legs. Juveniles lack white front and …
About These Birds
Andean Teal
A small brown teal with yellow bill and green speculum. Closely related to Yellow-billed Teal; sometimes considered conspecific. Restricted to high-altitude Andean wetlands of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Listed as Near Threatened due to wetland loss.
Greater White-fronted Goose
A medium-large goose with a white forehead patch, orange bill, grey-brown plumage, and variable black barring on the belly. Widespread and numerous; one of the most abundant geese in the world. Breeds across the high Arctic; winters in a wide range of temperate wetland and agricultural habitats.