Andean Goose vs Mallard
Chloephaga melanoptera compared with Anas platyrhynchos
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Andean Goose | Mallard |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chloephaga melanoptera | Anas platyrhynchos |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 58.0 cm (22.8 in) |
| Wingspan | 86.3 cm (34.0 in) | 90.0 cm (35.4 in) |
| Weight | 2617.5 g (92.33 oz) | 1100.0 g (38.80 oz) |
| Diet | Eats grasses, seeds, molluscs, and aquatic invertebrates; wades in shallow water; diet includes invertebrates year-round. | Omnivorous — aquatic plants, seeds, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Feeds by dabbling, upending, and grazing … |
| Clutch Size | 5-10 | 4-18 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Andean Goose
High-altitude puna grassland, bofedales (cushion bogs), and lakeshores at 3,500–5,500 m in the Andes from Peru through Bolivia and Chile to northwestern Argentina. Grazes beside glacial and alpine lakes.
Mallard
Nearly any wetland habitat including lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, estuaries, and urban park ponds.
Song & Call Comparison
Andean Goose
A loud, cackling 'kek-kek-kek' from high-altitude Andean puna. Pairs are territorial and vocal. Calls carry well across open altiplano above 4,000 m elevation.
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
Andean Goose
Formerly widespread on the Mascarene Island of Réunion. Extinct in the 17th century; extirpated by hunting and introduced predators.
Mallard
Native across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Introduced to Australia and New Zealand.
Conservation Status
Andean Goose
Mallard
How to Tell Them Apart
Andean Goose
Entirely white plumage except black-tipped primaries and black tail. Bill and legs coral-pink. Larger than most Chloephaga. Sexes similar. Inhabits high Andean lakes and grasslands above 3,000 m.
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
Andean Goose
A large white-and-black sheldgoose with a distinctive black-tipped pink-and-black bill, bright pink legs, and black wings. Endemic to high Andean puna. One of the highest-living birds in the Americas; found beside glacial lakes and streams. Monogamous; highly territorial during breeding.
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.