Grey Teal vs Mute Swan
Anas gracilis compared with Cygnus olor
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Grey Teal | Mute Swan |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anas gracilis | Cygnus olor |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 152.0 cm (59.8 in) |
| Wingspan | 38.4 cm (15.1 in) | 235.0 cm (92.5 in) |
| Weight | 504.25 g (17.79 oz) | 11000.0 g (388.01 oz) |
| Diet | Dives for molluscs, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates in shallow coastal and freshwater habitats; diet dominated … | 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
Grey Teal
Freshwater and saline wetlands across Australia and New Zealand, including temporary pans, lakes, rivers, and estuaries. Highly nomadic in Australia following unpredictable rainfall. Less nomadic in New Zealand.
Mute Swan
Lakes, slow rivers, estuaries, and coastal lagoons. Often associated with parks and ornamental waters in Europe.
Song & Call Comparison
Grey Teal
Female gives a high, nasal descending quacking series; male produces a soft, piping whistle. The high-pitched quacking call is distinctive; flocks create a musical chattering on Australian wetlands.
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
Grey Teal
Breeds across northern North America in boreal and sub-Arctic zones; winters on both coasts and inland waters of the US.
Mute Swan
Native to Europe and western Asia. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Conservation Status
Grey Teal
Mute Swan
How to Tell Them Apart
Grey Teal
Pale gray-brown body finely spotted and scaled dark. Head pale gray-buff with fine dark spots. Red eye. White throat. Iridescent green speculum with white front border. Gray bill; gray legs. …
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
Grey Teal
A small grey-brown teal with fine pale edging on feathers, red eye, and green speculum. Widespread and common in Australia and New Zealand. Highly nomadic in Australia; follows inland flooding. Found in a wide variety of freshwater habitats from permanent lakes to temporary claypans.
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.