Common Goldeneye vs Spotted Whistling-duck
Bucephala clangula compared with Dendrocygna guttata
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Common Goldeneye | Spotted Whistling-duck |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bucephala clangula | Dendrocygna guttata |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 41.7 cm (16.4 in) | 41.3 cm (16.3 in) |
| Weight | 921.0 g (32.49 oz) | 677.5 g (23.90 oz) |
| Diet | Dives for aquatic invertebrates, crustaceans, molluscs, and small fish. Forages in lakes, rivers, and coastal … | Primarily herbivorous; grazes tundra grasses and sedges; winters on coastal marshes and farmland, switching to … |
| Clutch Size | 1-28 | 10-11 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Common Goldeneye only
None
Spotted Whistling-duck only
Spotted Whistling-duck
Freshwater wetlands, rice fields, streams, and forest pools in New Guinea, Sulawesi, the Philippines, and Moluccas. Often found near forested rivers and seasonal swamps at low elevations.
Song & Call Comparison
Common Goldeneye
Male emits a buzzy, insect-like zeee-zeee-zeee wing whistle; female gives a grating quack. The mechanical wing-whistle produced by the male in display flight is the species' most distinctive sound.
Spotted Whistling-duck
A musical, high whistle similar to other whistling-ducks. Call is softer and less far-carrying than White-faced or Black-bellied species. Given in flight and on water.
Geographic Range & Migration
Common Goldeneye
Breeds across boreal forests of North America, Europe, and Asia. Winters on coasts and large lakes south to the Mediterranean and the Gulf states.
Spotted Whistling-duck
Ranges widely across sub-Saharan Africa in open woodland and savanna. Largely sedentary with local seasonal movements to water.
Conservation Status
Common Goldeneye
Spotted Whistling-duck
How to Tell Them Apart
Common Goldeneye
Male has glossy green-black head with round white spot at bill base; body white with black back and scapulars; yellow eye. Female has chocolate-brown head, white collar, and grey body.
Spotted Whistling-duck
Dark brown above; head and neck dark brown. Underparts heavily spotted white on dark brown ground, giving spotted appearance. Flanks with bold white spots. Pink-red bill and legs. Sexes similar.
About These Birds
Common Goldeneye
A medium-sized diving duck (~920 g) of family Anatidae, males with iridescent green heads and a round white cheek spot. Breeds near boreal lakes and rivers, nesting in tree cavities across Eurasia and North America; winters on coastal and inland waters. Dives for invertebrates, fish, and plant matter. Least Concern with widespread distribution.
Spotted Whistling-duck
A small dark brown whistling-duck with bold white spots on its flanks, orange-red bill and legs, and a pale face. Found in tropical wetlands of New Guinea, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Often found near freshwater streams and flooded grassland. Less gregarious than other whistling-ducks.