Emperor Goose vs African Pygmy-goose
Anser canagicus compared with Nettapus auritus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Emperor Goose | African Pygmy-goose |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anser canagicus | Nettapus auritus |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 74.8 cm (29.4 in) | 29.9 cm (11.8 in) |
| Weight | 2300.45 g (81.15 oz) | 272.5 g (9.61 oz) |
| Diet | Grazes aquatic plants and terrestrial grasses; upends in shallow water; winter diet shifts toward grain … | Filter-feeds on invertebrates and seeds; dabbles in shallow ponds; diet more plant-based outside spring breeding … |
| Clutch Size | 1-8 | 6-12 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
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.
African Pygmy-goose
Freshwater lakes, ponds, and rivers with floating water lilies and other aquatic vegetation across sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to Tanzania. Nests in tree cavities near water. Highly dependent on water lily vegetation.
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.
African Pygmy-goose
Male produces a soft, wheezy whistle; female gives a quiet, duck-like quack. Pairs exchange rapid twittering notes during courtship on lily-covered African pools.
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.
African Pygmy-goose
Breeds across temperate to sub-Arctic Eurasia; winters in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Conservation Status
Emperor Goose
African Pygmy-goose
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.
African Pygmy-goose
Tiny. Males have glossy dark green head with orange facial patch and ear spot; chestnut-orange flanks; white underparts; black and green back. Females duller with dark eye-stripe. Small yellow-green bill.
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.
African Pygmy-goose
A tiny jewel-like duck—one of Africa's smallest waterfowl. Males have iridescent green-and-white plumage, an orange bill, and a dark green cap; females are mottled brown. Found on lily-covered lakes in sub-Saharan Africa. Perches on water lily pads and feeds on their seeds and flowers.