Goosander vs Höckerschwan

Mergus merganser verglichen mit Cygnus olor

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Merkmal Goosander Höckerschwan
Wissenschaftlicher Name Mergus merganser Cygnus olor
Ordnung Anseriformes Anseriformes
Familie Anatidae Anatidae
Erhaltungsstatus Least Concern Least Concern
Länge 152,0 cm (59.8 in)
Flügelspannweite 54,2 cm (21.3 in) 235,0 cm (92.5 in)
Gewicht 1488,0 g (52.49 oz) 11000,0 g (388.01 oz)
Ernährung Dives for fish, especially salmon and trout, in rivers and lakes. Also takes frogs, crustaceans, … Submerged aquatic vegetation, algae, and grass. Feeds by upending in shallow water, reaching depths of …
Gelegegröße 4-22 5-7
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
Goosander
Höckerschwan 152,0 cm
Flügelspannweite
Goosander 54,2 cm
Höckerschwan 235,0 cm
Gewicht
Goosander 1488,0 g
Höckerschwan 11000,0 g
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Habitat Comparison

Gemeinsame Lebensräume

Goosander only

Höckerschwan only

-

Höckerschwan

Lakes, slow rivers, estuaries, and coastal lagoons. Often associated with parks and ornamental waters in Europe.

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Song & Call Comparison

Goosander

Gesang

Male gives a harsh, crow-like karrr call; female produces a guttural, grunting series. Both sexes produce loud, nasal calls; the male's harsh croaking is a distinctive winter river sound.

Höckerschwan

Gesang

Despite its name, not truly mute: gives hissing snorts and low grunting when threatened. Wings produce a loud rhythmic whistling throbbing sound in flight.

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Geographic Range & Migration

Goosander

Breeds across boreal forests of North America, Europe, and Asia. Winters on coasts and large rivers south to the Mediterranean and South Asia.

Höckerschwan

Native to Europe and western Asia. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

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Erhaltungsstatus

Least Concern

Goosander

Least Concern

Höckerschwan

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How to Tell Them Apart

Goosander

Gefieder

Male has dark green iridescent head, salmon-pink suffused white body, and black back; red serrated bill. Female has rufous-brown head with neat white chin patch, grey body, and pinkish-buff breast.

Höckerschwan

Gefieder

All-white plumage in adults. Cygnets are grey-brown, gradually whitening over the first year. Graceful S-curved neck posture is distinctive.

Schnabel

Orange bill with a prominent black knob at the base, larger in males

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About These Birds

Goosander

The largest merganser (~1.5 kg) in family Anatidae, males with glossy green heads and salmon-flushed white bodies. Breeds along rivers and lakes in northern Europe, Asia, and North America; winters on larger rivers and reservoirs. A pursuit-diver specializing in fish, using a serrated bill for grip. Least Concern with stable Holarctic distribution.

Höckerschwan

Der Höckerschwan gehört zu den schwersten flugfähigen Vögeln; Männchen können bis zu 14 kg wiegen. Trotz seines englischen Namens („Mute Swan“, stummer Schwan) ist er keineswegs stumm und gibt zischende, grunzende und schnaubende Laute von sich. Höckerschwäne gehen lebenslange Paarbindungen ein, und ihre aggressive Verteidigung des Brutreviers ist bekannt.

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