American Wigeon vs African Pygmy-goose

Mareca americana verglichen mit Nettapus auritus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Merkmal American Wigeon African Pygmy-goose
Wissenschaftlicher Name Mareca americana Nettapus auritus
Ordnung Anseriformes Anseriformes
Familie Anatidae Anatidae
Erhaltungsstatus Least Concern Least Concern
Länge
Flügelspannweite 50,6 cm (19.9 in) 29,9 cm (11.8 in)
Gewicht 938,125 g (33.09 oz) 272,5 g (9.61 oz)
Ernährung -- Filter-feeds on invertebrates and seeds; dabbles in shallow ponds; diet more plant-based outside spring breeding …
Gelegegröße 3-12 6-12
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Gemeinsame Lebensräume

American Wigeon only

African Pygmy-goose only

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American Wigeon

Breeds on freshwater lakes and marshes in boreal and northern forest of North America. Winters on coastal bays, estuaries, freshwater wetlands, and agricultural fields from the southern United States to Central America.

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

American Wigeon

Gesang

Male produces a three-note whew-whew-wheoo whistle; female gives a low grunting purr. The male's clear, looping whistle is distinctive on North American ponds and marshes.

African Pygmy-goose

Gesang

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.

Geographic Range & Migration

American Wigeon

African Pygmy-goose

Breeds across temperate to sub-Arctic Eurasia; winters in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

Erhaltungsstatus

Least Concern

American Wigeon

Least Concern

African Pygmy-goose

How to Tell Them Apart

American Wigeon

Gefieder

Males have white forehead and crown; iridescent green eye patch; pinkish-buff breast; gray flanks; white belly. White forewing patch in flight. Females mottled brown-gray with gray head. Dimorphic.

African Pygmy-goose

Gefieder

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.

About These Birds

American Wigeon

A medium-sized duck. Males have a creamy-white forehead blaze, broad green eye-stripe, pink-brown body, and white shoulder patch; females are warm brown. Common in North America; winters in coastal wetlands and agricultural land. Grazes on grass and aquatic plants.

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.

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