Sunda Teal vs Mute Swan
Anas gibberifrons compared with Cygnus olor
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Sunda Teal | Mute Swan |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anas gibberifrons | Cygnus olor |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 152.0 cm (59.8 in) |
| Wingspan | 38.7 cm (15.2 in) | 235.0 cm (92.5 in) |
| Weight | 409.25 g (14.44 oz) | 11000.0 g (388.01 oz) |
| Diet | Dives for aquatic invertebrates, molluscs, and plant matter; diet varies with habitat between freshwater and … | 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
Sunda Teal
Freshwater lakes, marshes, rice paddies, and coastal wetlands on Indonesian islands including Java, Sulawesi, and the Lesser Sundas. Non-migratory; resident on oceanic islands.
Mute Swan
Lakes, slow rivers, estuaries, and coastal lagoons. Often associated with parks and ornamental waters in Europe.
Song & Call Comparison
Sunda Teal
Female gives a nasal, descending quacking series; male utters a soft whistle. Calls resemble Grey Teal; heard across Indonesian and Philippine freshwater marshes and tidal ponds.
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
Sunda Teal
Breeds in the prairie pothole region and northern boreal zone; winters along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts of North America.
Mute Swan
Native to Europe and western Asia. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Conservation Status
Sunda Teal
Mute Swan
How to Tell Them Apart
Sunda Teal
Dark brown body with finely scalloped pale feather edges. Crown dark; face paler buff-brown. Bill gray. Speculum iridescent green with white borders. Flat forehead profile. Sexes similar. Sunda Islands wetland …
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
Sunda Teal
A medium-sized brown teal with pale spotting, green speculum, and a high domed forehead giving the head a distinctive shape. Found on Indonesian islands from Java and Sulawesi to Lesser Sundas. Non-migratory island species. Threatened by hunting and wetland drainage.
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.