Cape Barren Goose vs Wandering Whistling-duck
Cereopsis novaehollandiae compared with Dendrocygna arcuata
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Cape Barren Goose | Wandering Whistling-duck |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cereopsis novaehollandiae | Dendrocygna arcuata |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 94.2 cm (37.1 in) | 37.2 cm (14.6 in) |
| Weight | 3816.6666666666665 g (134.63 oz) | 779.5 g (27.50 oz) |
| Diet | Grazes aquatic vegetation and submerged plants; largest Southern Hemisphere swan; winters on estuaries eating eelgrass … | Eats grasses, sedges, and aquatic plants in tundra; winter diet of coastal salt marsh grasses … |
| Clutch Size | 3-6 | 6-15 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Cape Barren Goose only
Wandering Whistling-duck only
None
Cape Barren Goose
Open grasslands, heathlands, and low scrub on offshore islands and coastal mainland of southern Australia. Grazes in open areas. Nests on the ground. Largely sedentary with some mainland movements in winter.
Wandering Whistling-duck
Tropical freshwater marshes, flooded grasslands, swamps, and lake margins from the Philippines and Indonesia through Papua New Guinea to northern and eastern Australia. Nomadic following wet season flooding.
Song & Call Comparison
Cape Barren Goose
A loud, grunting 'honk-honk' from both sexes. The Cape Barren Goose gives pig-like grunting and cackling sounds. Not musical; its calls are distinctive but harsh.
Wandering Whistling-duck
A soft whistle 'whi-whi-whi' in flight. Less vocal than other whistling-ducks; flocks tend to be quieter. Given at dawn and dusk during flight to roosting or feeding areas.
Geographic Range & Migration
Cape Barren Goose
Breeds in northern North America; winters in the Great Basin, Great Plains, and coastal areas of the contiguous United States.
Wandering Whistling-duck
Breeds in Arctic and subarctic regions; winters at sea around the Antarctic pack ice, one of the longest migrations known.
Conservation Status
Cape Barren Goose
Wandering Whistling-duck
How to Tell Them Apart
Cape Barren Goose
Pale ash-gray plumage with small dark spots on wing coverts. Head whitish-gray. Bill short with prominent lime-green cere. Legs and feet pinkish-red. Sexes similar; one of few native Australian geese.
Wandering Whistling-duck
Rich chestnut-brown head and neck; dark brown back. Flanks rufous with pale buff streaks and dark spots. Belly blackish. Long, dark pinkish legs. Upright posture typical of whistling-ducks. Sexes similar.
About These Birds
Cape Barren Goose
A large pale grey goose with a distinctive lime-green cere at the base of its short dark bill and pink legs. Endemic to southern Australia. Grazes on grasses and low scrub on offshore islands. Territorial and aggressive; pairs hold year-round territories. Can survive without fresh water.
Wandering Whistling-duck
A medium-sized whistling-duck with rufous-brown body, dark brown back, pale buff underparts, and a chestnut collar. Found in tropical wetlands from Indonesia to Australia and Pacific islands. Highly social and nomadic. Forages by dabbling and diving in shallow freshwater.