Emperor Goose vs Mute Swan
Anser canagicus compared with Cygnus olor
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Emperor Goose | Mute Swan |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anser canagicus | Cygnus olor |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 152.0 cm (59.8 in) |
| Wingspan | 74.8 cm (29.4 in) | 235.0 cm (92.5 in) |
| Weight | 2300.45 g (81.15 oz) | 11000.0 g (388.01 oz) |
| Diet | Grazes aquatic plants and terrestrial grasses; upends in shallow water; winter diet shifts toward grain … | Submerged aquatic vegetation, algae, and grass. Feeds by upending in shallow water, reaching depths of … |
| Clutch Size | 1-8 | 5-7 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Emperor Goose
Breeds on coastal tundra near the Bering Sea in Alaska and Chukotka. Winters on rocky coastal shorelines, kelp beds, and intertidal flats along the Aleutian Islands and Alaska Peninsula.
Mute Swan
Lakes, slow rivers, estuaries, and coastal lagoons. Often associated with parks and ornamental waters in Europe.
Song & Call Comparison
Emperor Goose
A low, nasal 'clag-clag' call. Less vocal than other Anser geese. Gives contact calls in flocks during Arctic breeding and Pacific coast wintering. Somewhat quiet.
Mute Swan
Despite its name, not truly mute: gives hissing snorts and low grunting when threatened. Wings produce a loud rhythmic whistling throbbing sound in flight.
Geographic Range & Migration
Emperor Goose
Breeds in the eastern Arctic of Canada; winters along the Atlantic coast from Newfoundland to Florida and occasionally to Texas.
Mute Swan
Native to Europe and western Asia. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Conservation Status
Emperor Goose
Mute Swan
How to Tell Them Apart
Emperor Goose
Body plumage blue-gray with black and white feather scalloping. White head and hindneck contrasting with dark throat. Orange-yellow legs. Bill pink-orange. Tail white. Adults striking; sexes similar.
Mute Swan
All-white plumage in adults. Cygnets are grey-brown, gradually whitening over the first year. Graceful S-curved neck posture is distinctive.
Orange bill with a prominent black knob at the base, larger in males
About These Birds
Emperor Goose
A stocky silvery-grey goose with a white head stained orange-yellow from iron-rich water, black-and-white scaly body, and orange-yellow legs. Breeds on Alaska's Yukon-Kuskokwim delta; winters along the Aleutian Islands coastline. Strongly tied to coastal habitats year-round.
Mute Swan
The mute swan is one of the heaviest flying birds, with males weighing up to 14 kg. Despite its name, it is not truly mute, producing hissing, grunting, and snorting sounds. Mute swans form lifelong pair bonds and their aggressive defense of nesting territory is well known.