Brown Teal vs Mute Swan
Anas chlorotis compared with Cygnus olor
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Brown Teal | Mute Swan |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anas chlorotis | Cygnus olor |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 152.0 cm (59.8 in) |
| Wingspan | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) | 235.0 cm (92.5 in) |
| Weight | 683.6 g (24.11 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 | 5-6 | 5-7 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Brown Teal
Dense shrubland, forest streams, freshwater ponds, and coastal wetlands in northern New Zealand, especially Northland and predator-free offshore islands. Most active at dusk and dawn.
Mute Swan
Lakes, slow rivers, estuaries, and coastal lagoons. Often associated with parks and ornamental waters in Europe.
Song & Call Comparison
Brown Teal
Female gives a soft, nasal quacking call; male produces a high, whistled peep. Both sexes are quiet; unobtrusive calls suit this threatened New Zealand nocturnal duck.
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
Brown Teal
Mute Swan
Native to Europe and western Asia. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Conservation Status
Brown Teal
Mute Swan
How to Tell Them Apart
Brown Teal
Dark brown body with fine mottling. Males have iridescent green head sheen, white eye-ring, and chestnut breast. Females duller and browner with paler face and white eye-ring. Iridescent green speculum. …
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
Brown Teal
A small brown duck with white eye-ring in males, dark brown plumage with chestnut flanks, and green speculum. Formerly widespread; now largely restricted to offshore islands and Northland, New Zealand. Endangered; predator control essential for survival.
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.