Cape Barren Goose vs Mallard
Cereopsis novaehollandiae compared with Anas platyrhynchos
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Cape Barren Goose | Mallard |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cereopsis novaehollandiae | Anas platyrhynchos |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 58.0 cm (22.8 in) |
| Wingspan | 94.2 cm (37.1 in) | 90.0 cm (35.4 in) |
| Weight | 3816.6666666666665 g (134.63 oz) | 1100.0 g (38.80 oz) |
| Diet | -- | 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
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.
Mallard
Nearly any wetland habitat including lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, estuaries, and urban park ponds.
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.
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
Cape Barren Goose
Mallard
Native across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Introduced to Australia and New Zealand.
Conservation Status
Cape Barren Goose
Mallard
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.
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
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.
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.