African Pygmy-goose vs Flying Steamerduck
Nettapus auritus compared with Tachyeres patachonicus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Pygmy-goose | Flying Steamerduck |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nettapus auritus | Tachyeres patachonicus |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 29.9 cm (11.8 in) | 57.4 cm (22.6 in) |
| Weight | 272.5 g (9.61 oz) | 2620.75 g (92.44 oz) |
| Diet | Filter-feeds on invertebrates and seeds; dabbles in shallow ponds; diet more plant-based outside spring breeding … | Dabbles for seeds, invertebrates, and aquatic vegetation; widespread; diet varies from predominantly plant-based to invertebrate-rich. |
| Clutch Size | 6-12 | 5-9 |
| 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.
Flying Steamerduck
Freshwater lakes, rivers, coastal bays, and channels in Patagonian Chile and Argentina from the Lakes Region south to Tierra del Fuego. Partially migratory; some populations move to coasts in winter.
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.
Flying Steamerduck
A harsh, rattling 'rrrrr' and nasal calls. Flying Steamerduck can fly (unlike some relatives) and gives vocal calls in flight. Contact calls are clattering and guttural.
Geographic Range & Migration
African Pygmy-goose
Breeds across temperate to sub-Arctic Eurasia; winters in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Flying Steamerduck
Breeds across the boreal and subarctic zone of North America; winters broadly across the southern United States and Mexico.
Conservation Status
African Pygmy-goose
Flying Steamerduck
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.
Flying Steamerduck
Males gray with chestnut-brown breast and white eye-stripe. Females brown-gray with white eye-ring and chestnut flanks. Orange-yellow bill. Only Tachyeres species capable of sustained flight. Wings larger.
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.
Flying Steamerduck
The only flying species among the four steamerducks, with grey plumage, rufous-washed head, and an orange-yellow bill. Can fly strongly unlike its relatives. Found in Patagonian freshwater and coastal habitats. Highly territorial; pairs defend stretches of river or lakeshore aggressively.