Greater White-fronted Goose vs New Zealand Scaup
Anser albifrons compared with Aythya novaeseelandiae
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Greater White-fronted Goose | New Zealand Scaup |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anser albifrons | Aythya novaeseelandiae |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 81.6 cm (32.1 in) | 35.4 cm (13.9 in) |
| Weight | 2471.0 g (87.16 oz) | 645.5 g (22.77 oz) |
| Diet | Dabbles for aquatic invertebrates, seeds, and plant material; diet shifts heavily toward invertebrates in breeding … | -- |
| Clutch Size | 3-9 | 2-13 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Greater White-fronted Goose only
New Zealand Scaup only
None
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.
New Zealand Scaup
Deep freshwater lakes, reservoirs, and large rivers across both main islands of New Zealand, particularly on high-country glacial lakes. Dives to depths of over 3 m for food. Forms large flocks in winter.
Song & Call Comparison
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.
New Zealand Scaup
Male produces a low, soft wheeze; female gives a short, harsh quack. Relatively quiet; subdued vocalizations suit this diving duck of deep, clear New Zealand lakes and reservoirs.
Geographic Range & Migration
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.
New Zealand Scaup
Conservation Status
Greater White-fronted Goose
New Zealand Scaup
How to Tell Them Apart
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 …
New Zealand Scaup
Males entirely black with green iridescence on head; yellow eye; dark blue-gray bill. Females dark brown with white face patches around bill base. White wing stripe in flight. New Zealand …
About These Birds
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.
New Zealand Scaup
A small compact all-dark diving duck with a yellow eye in males, known in New Zealand as the 'black teal.' Endemic to New Zealand. The only native diving duck still widespread on both main islands. Gregarious; forms large flocks on deep mountain lakes.