Eurasian Wigeon vs African Pygmy-goose
Mareca penelope compared with Nettapus auritus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Eurasian Wigeon | African Pygmy-goose |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mareca penelope | Nettapus auritus |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 50.1 cm (19.7 in) | 29.9 cm (11.8 in) |
| Weight | 783.75 g (27.65 oz) | 272.5 g (9.61 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on seeds, aquatic plants, and invertebrates in shallow ponds; broadly omnivorous and seasonally variable. | Filter-feeds on invertebrates and seeds; dabbles in shallow ponds; diet more plant-based outside spring breeding … |
| Clutch Size | 6-12 | 6-12 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Eurasian Wigeon
Breeds on boreal and subarctic lakes and bogs across Eurasia from Iceland east to Siberia. Winters in huge numbers on estuaries, lakes, and coastal grasslands in western Europe and South and Southeast Asia.
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
Eurasian Wigeon
Male produces a clear, ringing whee-oo whistle; female gives a low, guttural purr. The male's bright, piping call is the classic sound of European winter estuaries and flocks.
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
Eurasian Wigeon
Resident in New Zealand's main islands and some offshore islands. Non-migratory; inhabits rivers, lakes, and estuaries.
African Pygmy-goose
Breeds across temperate to sub-Arctic Eurasia; winters in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Conservation Status
Eurasian Wigeon
African Pygmy-goose
How to Tell Them Apart
Eurasian Wigeon
Males have chestnut head with creamy-yellow forehead blaze; pink-buff breast; gray flanks; white belly. White forewing patch conspicuous in flight. Females rufous-brown. Compact with small bill. Dimorphic.
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
Eurasian Wigeon
A medium-sized compact duck. Males have a chestnut head with creamy-yellow forehead blaze, pink breast, grey body, and white wing patch. Highly migratory; one of Europe's most abundant wintering ducks. Grazes on short grass and aquatic vegetation.
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.