Hawaiian Duck vs Spotted Whistling-duck
Anas wyvilliana compared with Dendrocygna guttata
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Hawaiian Duck | Spotted Whistling-duck |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anas wyvilliana | Dendrocygna guttata |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 44.0 cm (17.3 in) | 41.3 cm (16.3 in) |
| Weight | 573.25 g (20.22 oz) | 677.5 g (23.90 oz) |
| Diet | Fish-diving duck of South American rivers; uses serrated bill to catch fish and aquatic invertebrates; … | Primarily herbivorous; grazes tundra grasses and sedges; winters on coastal marshes and farmland, switching to … |
| Clutch Size | 9-13 | 10-11 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Hawaiian Duck only
None
Spotted Whistling-duck 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.
Spotted Whistling-duck
Freshwater wetlands, rice fields, streams, and forest pools in New Guinea, Sulawesi, the Philippines, and Moluccas. Often found near forested rivers and seasonal swamps at low elevations.
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.
Spotted Whistling-duck
A musical, high whistle similar to other whistling-ducks. Call is softer and less far-carrying than White-faced or Black-bellied species. Given in flight and on water.
Geographic Range & Migration
Hawaiian Duck
Ranges across sub-Saharan Africa in open grasslands and wetland edges. Locally nomadic following seasonal rainfall patterns.
Spotted Whistling-duck
Ranges widely across sub-Saharan Africa in open woodland and savanna. Largely sedentary with local seasonal movements to water.
Conservation Status
Hawaiian Duck
Spotted Whistling-duck
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 …
Spotted Whistling-duck
Dark brown above; head and neck dark brown. Underparts heavily spotted white on dark brown ground, giving spotted appearance. Flanks with bold white spots. Pink-red bill and legs. Sexes similar.
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.
Spotted Whistling-duck
A small dark brown whistling-duck with bold white spots on its flanks, orange-red bill and legs, and a pale face. Found in tropical wetlands of New Guinea, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Often found near freshwater streams and flooded grassland. Less gregarious than other whistling-ducks.