Black-bellied Whistling-duck vs Mute Swan
Dendrocygna autumnalis compared with Cygnus olor
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-bellied Whistling-duck | Mute Swan |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dendrocygna autumnalis | Cygnus olor |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 152.0 cm (59.8 in) |
| Wingspan | 48.2 cm (19.0 in) | 235.0 cm (92.5 in) |
| Weight | 757.9 g (26.73 oz) | 11000.0 g (388.01 oz) |
| Diet | Grazes subarctic tundra grasses and sedges; winters on coastal salt marshes and agricultural fields eating … | Submerged aquatic vegetation, algae, and grass. Feeds by upending in shallow water, reaching depths of … |
| Clutch Size | 9-18 | 5-7 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Black-bellied Whistling-duck
Freshwater wetlands, ponds, lake margins, flooded fields, and wooded swamps from the southern United States and Mexico through Central America to Ecuador, Bolivia, and Argentina. Uses nest boxes readily.
Mute Swan
Lakes, slow rivers, estuaries, and coastal lagoons. Often associated with parks and ornamental waters in Europe.
Song & Call Comparison
Black-bellied Whistling-duck
A high, reedy whistle 'pe-che-che-ne' given in flight. Flocks produce a continuous whistling chorus. Also gives a squeaky 'whe-eee' contact call while swimming.
Mute Swan
Despite its name, not truly mute: gives hissing snorts and low grunting when threatened. Wings produce a loud rhythmic whistling throbbing sound in flight.
Geographic Range & Migration
Black-bellied Whistling-duck
Inhabits freshwater marshes and riverbanks from southeastern Brazil to northern Argentina and Bolivia. Sedentary; locally common.
Mute Swan
Native to Europe and western Asia. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Conservation Status
Black-bellied Whistling-duck
Mute Swan
How to Tell Them Apart
Black-bellied Whistling-duck
Gray head with brown cap and chestnut breast; black belly is distinctive. Wings show broad white patch in flight. Coral-pink bill and long pink legs. Upright posture. Sexes similar.
Mute Swan
All-white plumage in adults. Cygnets are grey-brown, gradually whitening over the first year. Graceful S-curved neck posture is distinctive.
Orange bill with a prominent black knob at the base, larger in males
About These Birds
Black-bellied Whistling-duck
A boldly patterned whistling-duck with a bright red bill, chestnut-and-black body, broad white wing stripe, and a distinctive whistling call. Common in freshwater wetlands from the southern United States to central South America. Nests in tree cavities. Often perches in trees—unusual for waterfowl.
Mute Swan
The mute swan is one of the heaviest flying birds, with males weighing up to 14 kg. Despite its name, it is not truly mute, producing hissing, grunting, and snorting sounds. Mute swans form lifelong pair bonds and their aggressive defense of nesting territory is well known.