Cackling Goose vs Mallard
Branta hutchinsii compared with Anas platyrhynchos
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Cackling Goose | Mallard |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Branta hutchinsii | Anas platyrhynchos |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 58.0 cm (22.8 in) |
| Wingspan | 79.3 cm (31.2 in) | 90.0 cm (35.4 in) |
| Weight | 1801.8 g (63.56 oz) | 1100.0 g (38.80 oz) |
| Diet | Grazes aquatic vegetation and sedges in Northern Hemisphere wetlands; migratory; winter diet of eelgrass and … | Omnivorous — aquatic plants, seeds, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Feeds by dabbling, upending, and grazing … |
| Clutch Size | 3-6 | 4-18 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
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.
Mallard
Nearly any wetland habitat including lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, estuaries, and urban park ponds.
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.
Mallard
Female gives the classic 'quack-quack-quack', descending in pitch. Male utters soft nasal 'raeb-raeb'. Both give a high 'gag-gag-gag' when alarmed or taking flight.
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.
Mallard
Native across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Introduced to Australia and New Zealand.
Conservation Status
Cackling Goose
Mallard
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.
Mallard
Breeding males have an iridescent green head, white neck ring, chestnut breast, and grey body. Females are mottled brown. Both sexes show a blue speculum bordered by white.
Broad, flat bill — yellow-green in males, orange-brown in females
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.
Mallard
The mallard is the ancestor of most domestic duck breeds and the most abundant and widespread dabbling duck in the world. Males perform elaborate courtship displays including head-bobbing and whistle-grunt calls. Mallards are highly adaptable, thriving in both wilderness and urban environments.