Black-bellied Whistling-duck vs African Pygmy-goose
Dendrocygna autumnalis compared with Nettapus auritus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-bellied Whistling-duck | African Pygmy-goose |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dendrocygna autumnalis | Nettapus auritus |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 48.2 cm (19.0 in) | 29.9 cm (11.8 in) |
| Weight | 757.9 g (26.73 oz) | 272.5 g (9.61 oz) |
| Diet | Grazes subarctic tundra grasses and sedges; winters on coastal salt marshes and agricultural fields eating … | Filter-feeds on invertebrates and seeds; dabbles in shallow ponds; diet more plant-based outside spring breeding … |
| Clutch Size | 9-18 | 6-12 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
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.
African Pygmy-goose
Freshwater lakes, ponds, and rivers with floating water lilies and other aquatic vegetation across sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to Tanzania. Nests in tree cavities near water. Highly dependent on water lily vegetation.
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.
African Pygmy-goose
Male produces a soft, wheezy whistle; female gives a quiet, duck-like quack. Pairs exchange rapid twittering notes during courtship on lily-covered African pools.
Geographic Range & Migration
Black-bellied Whistling-duck
Inhabits freshwater marshes and riverbanks from southeastern Brazil to northern Argentina and Bolivia. Sedentary; locally common.
African Pygmy-goose
Breeds across temperate to sub-Arctic Eurasia; winters in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Conservation Status
Black-bellied Whistling-duck
African Pygmy-goose
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.
African Pygmy-goose
Tiny. Males have glossy dark green head with orange facial patch and ear spot; chestnut-orange flanks; white underparts; black and green back. Females duller with dark eye-stripe. Small yellow-green bill.
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.
African Pygmy-goose
A tiny jewel-like duck—one of Africa's smallest waterfowl. Males have iridescent green-and-white plumage, an orange bill, and a dark green cap; females are mottled brown. Found on lily-covered lakes in sub-Saharan Africa. Perches on water lily pads and feeds on their seeds and flowers.