Hawaiian Duck vs Greater White-fronted Goose
Anas wyvilliana compared with Anser albifrons
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Hawaiian Duck | Greater White-fronted Goose |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anas wyvilliana | Anser albifrons |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 44.0 cm (17.3 in) | 81.6 cm (32.1 in) |
| Weight | 573.25 g (20.22 oz) | 2471.0 g (87.16 oz) |
| Diet | -- | Dabbles for aquatic invertebrates, seeds, and plant material; diet shifts heavily toward invertebrates in breeding … |
| Clutch Size | 9-13 | 3-9 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Hawaiian Duck only
None
Greater White-fronted Goose only
Hawaiian Duck
Freshwater marshes, rivers, reservoirs, and taro fields on Kauai and other Hawaiian islands. Nests in dense vegetation near water. Threatened by hybridization with domestic or feral Mallards.
Greater White-fronted Goose
Breeds on Arctic and subarctic tundra and peatlands. Winters on estuaries, agricultural fields, freshwater marshes, and flooded meadows across Europe, Asia, and North America. One of the most widespread geese.
Song & Call Comparison
Hawaiian Duck
Female produces a raspy, descending quacking series; male gives a soft, nasal sound. Calls similar to Mallard but higher-pitched; alarm is a rapid-fire quacking rattle.
Greater White-fronted Goose
A loud, laughing 'kow-lyuk' or musical 'wah-wah'. Gives a distinctive high-pitched yodeling quality lacking in Greylag. Highly vocal in large winter flocks.
Geographic Range & Migration
Hawaiian Duck
Greater White-fronted Goose
Breeds in the potholes region of the northern Great Plains; winters in the southern United States and along the Gulf Coast.
Conservation Status
Hawaiian Duck
Greater White-fronted Goose
How to Tell Them Apart
Hawaiian Duck
Mottled brown plumage; males may show slight green gloss on head but reduced compared to Mallard. Iridescent blue-purple speculum with white borders. Orange bill. Females similar to males; pale buff …
Greater White-fronted Goose
Brown-gray body with white forehead patch bordered by white band at bill base. Underparts with bold irregular black bars on belly. Orange bill; orange-yellow legs. Juveniles lack white front and …
About These Birds
Hawaiian Duck
A medium-sized duck resembling a female Mallard, with mottled brown plumage and green speculum. Endemic to Hawaii; hybridizes with feral Mallards, threatening its genetic integrity. Found on freshwater wetlands of Kauai and other islands. Endangered; conservation focus on reducing hybridization.
Greater White-fronted Goose
A medium-large goose with a white forehead patch, orange bill, grey-brown plumage, and variable black barring on the belly. Widespread and numerous; one of the most abundant geese in the world. Breeds across the high Arctic; winters in a wide range of temperate wetland and agricultural habitats.