Mallard vs Torrent Duck
Anas platyrhynchos compared with Merganetta armata
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Mallard | Torrent Duck |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anas platyrhynchos | Merganetta armata |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 58.0 cm (22.8 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 90.0 cm (35.4 in) | 32.7 cm (12.9 in) |
| Weight | 1100.0 g (38.80 oz) | 366.875 g (12.94 oz) |
| Diet | Omnivorous — aquatic plants, seeds, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Feeds by dabbling, upending, and grazing … | Filter-feeds on aquatic invertebrates and seeds; dabbles in shallow wetlands; diet more plant-based in winter … |
| Clutch Size | 4-18 | 3-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Mallard
Nearly any wetland habitat including lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, estuaries, and urban park ponds.
Torrent Duck
Fast-flowing clear Andean mountain rivers and torrents at 1,500–4,500 m from Venezuela south through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Chile to Tierra del Fuego. Requires bouldered well-oxygenated rapids.
Song & Call Comparison
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.
Torrent Duck
A sharp, staccato 'pit' or 'wit' call. Males give a loud, ringing whistle. The Torrent Duck is a fast-flowing Andean river specialist; calls carry over powerful rapids.
Geographic Range & Migration
Mallard
Native across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Introduced to Australia and New Zealand.
Torrent Duck
Breeds in the northern prairie pothole region; winters along both coasts of the United States and south to Mexico.
Conservation Status
Mallard
Torrent Duck
How to Tell Them Apart
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
Torrent Duck
Striking sexual dimorphism. Males have white head with black stripes and red bill; dark back with rufous breast. Females gray above with rufous-cinnamon underparts. Stiff tail; specialized for fast-running rivers.
About These Birds
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.
Torrent Duck
A slim agile duck perfectly adapted to fast-flowing Andean rivers. Males are striking with a white-and-black-streaked head, red bill, and chestnut breast; females are rufous below. Forages by diving and swimming in violent rapids, holding on to boulders with strong claws. Monogamous with strong site fidelity.