Taiga Bean Goose vs Black-headed Duck
Anser fabalis compared with Heteronetta atricapilla
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Taiga Bean Goose | Black-headed Duck |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anser fabalis | Heteronetta atricapilla |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 89.7 cm (35.3 in) | 34.7 cm (13.7 in) |
| Weight | 3115.0 g (109.88 oz) | 528.5 g (18.64 oz) |
| Diet | Eats seeds, aquatic plants, and invertebrates; forages in shallow water and on land; diet varies … | Parasitic; adults may feed on aquatic plants, seeds, and invertebrates in South American marshes. Diet … |
| Clutch Size | 3-8 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Taiga Bean Goose
Breeds in taiga forest, boggy clearings, and river valleys across Scandinavia and northern Russia. Winters on agricultural fields, pastures, and river valleys in western and central Europe, particularly Belgium and the Netherlands.
Song & Call Comparison
Taiga Bean Goose
A low, nasal 'ung-unk' or 'ow' call — less nasal than Grey-lag. Flocks give continuous calling. The call distinction from Tundra Bean Goose is subtle but detectable.
Black-headed Duck
Male gives a soft, raspy peeping note; female produces a muted quack. An obligate brood parasite with reduced vocalizations; subdued calls suit its secretive lifestyle among Argentine reeds.
Geographic Range & Migration
Taiga Bean Goose
Breeds across Alaska and Canada; winters in the US interior and along coastlines south to the Gulf of Mexico.
Black-headed Duck
Resident in southern South America from southern Brazil and Bolivia south to Argentina and Chile. Found on lakes and marshes in open lowlands.
Conservation Status
Taiga Bean Goose
Black-headed Duck
How to Tell Them Apart
Taiga Bean Goose
Dark brown head and neck; back dark brown with pale feather edges giving scalloped appearance. Underparts pale gray-brown. Bill orange-yellow with black base and tip. Orange legs. Darker than Pink-footed …
Black-headed Duck
Male has distinctive jet-black head and neck, warm chestnut-brown back, and pale buff underparts; blue-grey bill with red base. Female is streaked brown above with pale supercilium and whitish underparts.
About These Birds
Taiga Bean Goose
A large brown goose with dark head and neck, orange-and-black bill, and orange legs. One of two bean goose species. Breeds in Scandinavian and Russian taiga; winters in western and central Europe. Recognized as separate from Tundra Bean Goose since 2007.
Black-headed Duck
A small diving duck (~530 g) of South America, family Anatidae, and the sole member of genus Heteronetta. Inhabits freshwater marshes and lakes in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay. Unique among waterfowl as an obligate brood parasite, laying eggs in nests of coots and other waterbirds. Feeds on seeds and aquatic invertebrates. Least Concern.