Mute Swan vs Cotton Pygmy-goose
Cygnus olor compared with Nettapus coromandelianus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Mute Swan | Cotton Pygmy-goose |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cygnus olor | Nettapus coromandelianus |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 152.0 cm (59.8 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 235.0 cm (92.5 in) | 31.7 cm (12.5 in) |
| Weight | 11000.0 g (388.01 oz) | 343.5 g (12.12 oz) |
| Diet | Submerged aquatic vegetation, algae, and grass. Feeds by upending in shallow water, reaching depths of … | Feeds on aquatic invertebrates, seeds, and plant material; dabbles in shallow water; invertebrate diet peaks … |
| Clutch Size | 5-7 | 6-18 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Mute Swan
Lakes, slow rivers, estuaries, and coastal lagoons. Often associated with parks and ornamental waters in Europe.
Cotton Pygmy-goose
Freshwater lakes, ponds, slow rivers, and rice paddies with aquatic vegetation from India east through Southeast Asia, China, and New Guinea to northern and eastern Australia. Nests in tree holes near water.
Song & Call Comparison
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.
Cotton Pygmy-goose
Male emits a rapid, clucking chatter resembling a toy rattle; female responds with soft, muffled quacks. In flight both sexes produce a distinctive whistling wing-beat.
Geographic Range & Migration
Mute Swan
Native to Europe and western Asia. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Cotton Pygmy-goose
Breeds in northern Eurasia; winters in the tropics of Africa and Asia. Migratory; routes cross through the Middle East.
Conservation Status
Mute Swan
Cotton Pygmy-goose
How to Tell Them Apart
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
Cotton Pygmy-goose
Males white below and white-faced with dark green crown and collar; black back with iridescent green gloss; white wing bar conspicuous in flight. Females brown-gray with pale supercilium. Tiny; perches …
About These Birds
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.
Cotton Pygmy-goose
A tiny duck with males having striking white head and underparts, black back, and green iridescence on the crown. Found from India to Australia. Perches on aquatic vegetation and nests in tree hollows. Feeds on water lily seeds and aquatic plants. One of the world's smallest ducks.