Hawaiian Goose vs African Pygmy-goose
Branta sandvicensis compared with Nettapus auritus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Hawaiian Goose | African Pygmy-goose |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Branta sandvicensis | Nettapus auritus |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 72.8 cm (28.7 in) | 29.9 cm (11.8 in) |
| Weight | 2150.0 g (75.84 oz) | 272.5 g (9.61 oz) |
| Diet | Eats aquatic plants, algae, and grasses; upends in shallow water to graze submerged vegetation; diet … | Filter-feeds on invertebrates and seeds; dabbles in shallow ponds; diet more plant-based outside spring breeding … |
| Clutch Size | 1-6 | 6-12 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Hawaiian Goose
Volcanic slopes, lava flows, coastal grasslands, and shrublands on Maui, Hawai'i, and Kauai. Adapted to rocky terrain with reduced toe webbing. Introduced to other Hawaiian islands. Avoids dense forest.
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
Hawaiian Goose
A soft, low 'moo-moo' — the murmuring call gives the Nene its Hawaiian name. Also gives honking calls in flight. Less vocal than Canada Goose; distinctive murmuring quality.
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
Hawaiian Goose
Breeds in sub-Arctic Canada; winters on large lakes and rivers from the Gulf of Mexico north to where water remains open.
African Pygmy-goose
Breeds across temperate to sub-Arctic Eurasia; winters in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Conservation Status
Hawaiian Goose
African Pygmy-goose
How to Tell Them Apart
Hawaiian Goose
Buff-tan neck with black and white channeled furrows. Crown and face black; hindneck black. Body gray-brown above; underparts pale with buff breast. Reduced webbing on feet. Sexes similar. State bird …
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
Hawaiian Goose
Hawaii's state bird and the world's rarest goose, recovered from near extinction. A medium-sized brownish goose with a black face, pale buff neck with diagonal stripes, and reduced webbing between the toes adapted for walking on lava. Grazes on volcanic slopes and coastal areas.
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.