Auckland Teal vs Mute Swan
Anas aucklandica compared with Cygnus olor
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Auckland Teal | Mute Swan |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anas aucklandica | Cygnus olor |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 152.0 cm (59.8 in) |
| Wingspan | 27.0 cm (10.6 in) | 235.0 cm (92.5 in) |
| Weight | 522.25 g (18.42 oz) | 11000.0 g (388.01 oz) |
| Diet | -- | Submerged aquatic vegetation, algae, and grass. Feeds by upending in shallow water, reaching depths of … |
| Clutch Size | 1-6 | 5-7 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Auckland Teal
Restricted to predator-free islands of the Auckland Islands subantarctic group (Adams, Disappointment, Ewing islands). Inhabits dense tussock grassland, scrub, and freshwater streams.
Mute Swan
Lakes, slow rivers, estuaries, and coastal lagoons. Often associated with parks and ornamental waters in Europe.
Song & Call Comparison
Auckland Teal
Female gives a short, nasal quack; male produces a barely audible high note. Nearly flightless; extremely quiet and seldom vocal; calls are reduced even compared with other flightless island teals.
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
Auckland Teal
Mute Swan
Native to Europe and western Asia. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Conservation Status
Auckland Teal
Mute Swan
How to Tell Them Apart
Auckland Teal
Dark chocolate-brown plumage; males have iridescent dark green head and white eye-ring. Females dark brown with white eye-ring. Near-flightless. Iridescent speculum. Flightless wings. Auckland Islands endemic.
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
Auckland Teal
A tiny flightless teal with dark brown plumage and a green speculum. Endemic to the Auckland Islands subantarctic group. Wings are reduced, making it completely flightless. Survives only on predator-free islands. Feeds mainly on invertebrates along freshwater streams.
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.