Mute Swan vs Spur-winged Goose
Cygnus olor compared with Plectropterus gambensis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Mute Swan | Spur-winged Goose |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cygnus olor | Plectropterus gambensis |
| 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) | 104.5 cm (41.1 in) |
| Weight | 11000.0 g (388.01 oz) | 4475.0 g (157.85 oz) |
| Diet | Submerged aquatic vegetation, algae, and grass. Feeds by upending in shallow water, reaching depths of … | Eats seeds, invertebrates, and aquatic plants; dabbles in shallow water; omnivorous diet shifts with breeding … |
| Clutch Size | 5-7 | 6-14 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Mute Swan
Lakes, slow rivers, estuaries, and coastal lagoons. Often associated with parks and ornamental waters in Europe.
Spur-winged Goose
Freshwater lakes, marshes, rivers, and flooded grasslands across sub-Saharan Africa from the Sahel to South Africa. Feeds along wetland margins and on agricultural land near water. Nests on the ground.
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.
Spur-winged Goose
A harsh, goose-like clucking 'uk-uk-uk' in flight. Males give a whistling hiss. Large and ungainly; its loud wing beats and harsh calls are characteristic of savanna wetlands.
Geographic Range & Migration
Mute Swan
Native to Europe and western Asia. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Spur-winged Goose
Breeds across Alaska and Canada in wetlands; winters along the Pacific coast from the Aleutians to Baja California.
Conservation Status
Mute Swan
Spur-winged 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
Spur-winged Goose
Large; black upperparts with glossy green and purple iridescence. White forehead patch, facial skin reddish, and white underparts. Males have larger red facial caruncle and bill knob than females. Spur …
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.
Spur-winged Goose
Africa's largest waterfowl, a massive goose-like bird with iridescent black-and-white plumage, a large red bill knob, bare red facial skin, and prominent bony wing spurs. Males can weigh up to 10 kg. Territorial; feeds on aquatic vegetation and agricultural crops across sub-Saharan Africa.