African Black Duck vs Torrent Duck

Anas sparsa verglichen mit Merganetta armata

Side-by-Side Comparison

Merkmal African Black Duck Torrent Duck
Wissenschaftlicher Name Anas sparsa Merganetta armata
Ordnung Anseriformes Anseriformes
Familie Anatidae Anatidae
Erhaltungsstatus Least Concern Least Concern
Länge
Flügelspannweite 49,5 cm (19.5 in) 32,7 cm (12.9 in)
Gewicht 996,8333333333334 g (35.16 oz) 366,875 g (12.94 oz)
Ernährung -- --
Gelegegröße 4-9 3-4
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Gemeinsame Lebensräume

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African Black Duck only

Torrent Duck only

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African Black Duck

Fast-flowing rocky rivers and streams, mountain gorges, and waterfalls from sea level to 4,000 m across sub-Saharan Africa from Ethiopia and Kenya south to the Cape. Requires clear turbulent water with boulders.

Torrent Duck

Fast-flowing clear Andean mountain rivers and torrents at 1,500–4,500 m from Venezuela south through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Chile to Tierra del Fuego. Requires bouldered well-oxygenated rapids.

Song & Call Comparison

African Black Duck

Gesang

Produces a harsh, resonant quacking call; alarm is a loud, emphatic quack repeated rapidly. Both sexes call with strong quacking; pairs duet with synchronized calls along African rivers.

Torrent Duck

Gesang

A sharp, staccato 'pit' or 'wit' call. Males give a loud, ringing whistle. The Torrent Duck is a fast-flowing Andean river specialist; calls carry over powerful rapids.

Erhaltungsstatus

Least Concern

African Black Duck

Least Concern

Torrent Duck

How to Tell Them Apart

African Black Duck

Gefieder

Dark blackish-brown plumage with bold white spots on back and scapulars. Iridescent blue-green speculum with white borders. Head dark with pale spots. Bill and legs dark gray. Sexes similar. Fast-flowing …

Torrent Duck

Gefieder

Striking sexual dimorphism. Males have white head with black stripes and red bill; dark back with rufous breast. Females gray above with rufous-cinnamon underparts. Stiff tail; specialized for fast-running rivers.

About These Birds

African Black Duck

A medium-sized dark brown duck with white spots on the back, a dark bill, and orange legs. Found along fast-flowing rocky rivers and streams in Africa. Territorial and monogamous; pairs defend stretches of river. Related to Pacific Black Duck.

Torrent Duck

A slim agile duck perfectly adapted to fast-flowing Andean rivers. Males are striking with a white-and-black-streaked head, red bill, and chestnut breast; females are rufous below. Forages by diving and swimming in violent rapids, holding on to boulders with strong claws. Monogamous with strong site fidelity.

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