Greater White-fronted Goose vs Chiloe Wigeon
Anser albifrons compared with Mareca sibilatrix
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Greater White-fronted Goose | Chiloe Wigeon |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anser albifrons | Mareca sibilatrix |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 81.6 cm (32.1 in) | 49.0 cm (19.3 in) |
| Weight | 2471.0 g (87.16 oz) | 922.8333333333334 g (32.55 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
Chiloe Wigeon 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.
Chiloe Wigeon
Lakes, rivers, freshwater marshes, and coastal lagoons in southern South America from southern Peru and Bolivia south through Chile and Argentina to Tierra del Fuego and the Falkland Islands.
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.
Chiloe Wigeon
Male utters a short, melodious whistle; female gives a low purring note. Pairs and flocks call with clear piping exchanges across South American wetlands and coastal lagoons.
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.
Chiloe Wigeon
Conservation Status
Greater White-fronted Goose
Chiloe Wigeon
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 …
Chiloe Wigeon
Iridescent dark green head with white forehead blaze. Black and white barred flanks; rufous breast; white belly. White forewing patch. Legs blue-gray. Females similar but duller. South American temperate species.
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.
Chiloe Wigeon
A large boldly patterned wigeon with a metallic green head, white face, black breast, grey flanks with white barring, and a bright orange-yellow bill. Endemic to southern South America. Highly territorial; pairs defend lake territories. Named for Chiloé Island in Chile.