African Pygmy-goose vs Masked Duck
Nettapus auritus compared with Nomonyx dominicus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Pygmy-goose | Masked Duck |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nettapus auritus | Nomonyx dominicus |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 29.9 cm (11.8 in) | 27.6 cm (10.9 in) |
| Weight | 272.5 g (9.61 oz) | 361.0 g (12.73 oz) |
| Diet | Filter-feeds on invertebrates and seeds; dabbles in shallow ponds; diet more plant-based outside spring breeding … | Dives and dabbles for aquatic seeds, plant matter, and invertebrates in freshwater marshes and ponds … |
| Clutch Size | 6-12 | 4-6 |
| 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.
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.
Masked Duck
Male emits a soft, dove-like cooing note; female gives a harsh, emphatic quack. The male's gentle, almost melodic cooing is surprising for a stiff-tail; heard in tropical American marshes.
Geographic Range & Migration
African Pygmy-goose
Breeds across temperate to sub-Arctic Eurasia; winters in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Masked Duck
Resident from Mexico and the Caribbean south through Central America to northern South America. Found in lowland freshwater marshes and lagoons.
Conservation Status
African Pygmy-goose
Masked Duck
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.
Masked Duck
Male is rich rufous-chestnut with black mask from forehead to face, boldly spotted black on upperparts; blue bill. Female is streaked buff and brown with two dark facial stripes crossing …
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.
Masked Duck
A small stiff-tailed duck (~360 g) of family Anatidae, breeding males with a black mask and chestnut body. Inhabits densely vegetated freshwater marshes and ponds from southern Texas to South America and the Caribbean. Dives for seeds and aquatic invertebrates. Secretive and rarely observed. Least Concern; tolerates a broad range of wetland habitats.