Mallard vs White-headed Steamerduck
Anas platyrhynchos compared with Tachyeres leucocephalus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Mallard | White-headed Steamerduck |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anas platyrhynchos | Tachyeres leucocephalus |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
| Length | 58.0 cm (22.8 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 90.0 cm (35.4 in) | 55.0 cm (21.7 in) |
| Weight | 1100.0 g (38.80 oz) | 3250.0 g (114.64 oz) |
| Diet | Omnivorous — aquatic plants, seeds, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Feeds by dabbling, upending, and grazing … | -- |
| Clutch Size | 4-18 | 3-6 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Mallard
Nearly any wetland habitat including lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, estuaries, and urban park ponds.
White-headed Steamerduck
Rocky coastal shores, sea channels, and sheltered bays along the Patagonian coast of Chubut Province, Argentina. Flightless; strictly coastal. Nests on rocky headlands. Very limited geographic range.
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.
White-headed Steamerduck
A deep, rattling call from Patagonian coastal habitat. VU status; calls similar to Magellanic Steamerduck but possibly subtly distinct. Vocalizations in wild remain understudied.
Geographic Range & Migration
Mallard
Native across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Introduced to Australia and New Zealand.
White-headed Steamerduck
Conservation Status
Mallard
White-headed Steamerduck
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
White-headed Steamerduck
Flightless. Males have white head and neck contrasting with dark gray-brown body; orange bill. Females brown with white facial markings and less contrasting head. Restricted to Chubut, Argentina coast.
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.
White-headed Steamerduck
A large flightless steamerduck with grey body and an entirely white head in males, found only along the Patagonian coast of Chubut Province, Argentina. One of the rarest ducks in South America; range extends for only about 400 km of coastline.