African Black Duck vs Upland Goose
Anas sparsa compared with Chloephaga picta
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Black Duck | Upland Goose |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anas sparsa | Chloephaga picta |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 49.5 cm (19.5 in) | 82.4 cm (32.4 in) |
| Weight | 996.8333333333334 g (35.16 oz) | 2916.0 g (102.86 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 4-9 | 5-8 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
African Black Duck
Fast-flowing rocky rivers and streams, mountain gorges, and waterfalls from sea level to 4,000 m across sub-Saharan Africa from Ethiopia and Kenya south to the Cape. Requires clear turbulent water with boulders.
Upland Goose
Open Patagonian grasslands, steppe, and agricultural pastures in southern Chile and Argentina, including the Falkland Islands. Grazes on short grass. Males aggressively defend territories. Partially migratory.
Song & Call Comparison
African Black Duck
Produces a harsh, resonant quacking call; alarm is a loud, emphatic quack repeated rapidly. Both sexes call with strong quacking; pairs duet with synchronized calls along African rivers.
Upland Goose
Male gives a high, whistled 'whew'; female gives a low, rolling cackle 'ga-ga-ga'. Sexual differences in call are pronounced. Falklands and Patagonian populations highly vocal.
Conservation Status
African Black Duck
Upland Goose
How to Tell Them Apart
African Black Duck
Dark blackish-brown plumage with bold white spots on back and scapulars. Iridescent blue-green speculum with white borders. Head dark with pale spots. Bill and legs dark gray. Sexes similar. Fast-flowing …
Upland Goose
Pronounced dimorphism. Males white with black-barred flanks and white wings with black primaries. Females rufous-brown with black-barred flanks and white belly. Both sexes yellow-orange legs. Grassland species.
About These Birds
African Black Duck
A medium-sized dark brown duck with white spots on the back, a dark bill, and orange legs. Found along fast-flowing rocky rivers and streams in Africa. Territorial and monogamous; pairs defend stretches of river. Related to Pacific Black Duck.
Upland Goose
A large sheldgoose with strong sexual dimorphism: males are white with black back barring; females are warm brown with barred flanks. Common in Patagonian and Falkland Islands grasslands. Gregarious; forms large flocks outside breeding season. Grazes on short grass and agricultural land.