Cackling Goose vs Black-headed Duck
Branta hutchinsii compared with Heteronetta atricapilla
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Cackling Goose | Black-headed Duck |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Branta hutchinsii | Heteronetta atricapilla |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 79.3 cm (31.2 in) | 34.7 cm (13.7 in) |
| Weight | 1801.8 g (63.56 oz) | 528.5 g (18.64 oz) |
| Diet | Grazes aquatic vegetation and sedges in Northern Hemisphere wetlands; migratory; winter diet of eelgrass and … | Parasitic; adults may feed on aquatic plants, seeds, and invertebrates in South American marshes. Diet … |
| Clutch Size | 3-6 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Cackling Goose
Breeds on low-lying Arctic and subarctic tundra. Winters on grasslands, agricultural fields, and coastal marshes in the central and western United States. Often found in mixed flocks with Canada Geese.
Song & Call Comparison
Cackling Goose
A high-pitched, yelping 'luk-luk' or 'likl-likl' — higher-pitched and smaller-sounding than Canada Goose. Given rapidly in flock flight. Useful identification feature.
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
Cackling Goose
Breeds in Arctic Canada; winters on the Atlantic coast from New England to Florida, occasionally to the Bahamas and Gulf Coast.
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
Cackling Goose
Black-headed Duck
How to Tell Them Apart
Cackling Goose
Resembles miniature Canada Goose; black head and neck with white chin strap. Brown-gray back; pale underparts. White undertail. Short neck and stubby bill distinguish from Canada Goose. Sexes similar.
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
Cackling Goose
A small version of the Canada Goose with a stubby bill, rounded head, and shorter neck. Long treated as a subspecies; now recognized as a separate species with four subspecies. Migrates from Arctic breeding grounds to wintering areas in the central United States. Gregarious; mixes with Canada Geese in winter.
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.