African Pygmy-goose vs Cotton Pygmy-goose
Nettapus auritus compared with Nettapus coromandelianus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Pygmy-goose | Cotton Pygmy-goose |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nettapus auritus | Nettapus coromandelianus |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 29.9 cm (11.8 in) | 31.7 cm (12.5 in) |
| Weight | 272.5 g (9.61 oz) | 343.5 g (12.12 oz) |
| Diet | Filter-feeds on invertebrates and seeds; dabbles in shallow ponds; diet more plant-based outside spring breeding … | Feeds on aquatic invertebrates, seeds, and plant material; dabbles in shallow water; invertebrate diet peaks … |
| Clutch Size | 6-12 | 6-18 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
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.
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
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.
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
African Pygmy-goose
Breeds across temperate to sub-Arctic Eurasia; winters in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Cotton Pygmy-goose
Breeds in northern Eurasia; winters in the tropics of Africa and Asia. Migratory; routes cross through the Middle East.
Conservation Status
African Pygmy-goose
Cotton Pygmy-goose
How to Tell Them Apart
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.
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
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.
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.