Mallard vs Rotschwanzbussard
Anas platyrhynchos verglichen mit Buteo jamaicensis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Merkmal | Mallard | Rotschwanzbussard |
|---|---|---|
| Wissenschaftlicher Name | Anas platyrhynchos | Buteo jamaicensis |
| Ordnung | Anseriformes | Accipitriformes |
| Familie | Anatidae | Accipitridae |
| Erhaltungsstatus | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Länge | 58,0 cm (22.8 in) | 53,0 cm (20.9 in) |
| Flügelspannweite | 90,0 cm (35.4 in) | 124,0 cm (48.8 in) |
| Gewicht | 1100,0 g (38.80 oz) | 1080,0 g (38.10 oz) |
| Ernährung | Omnivorous — aquatic plants, seeds, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Feeds by dabbling, upending, and grazing … | Small to medium mammals, especially voles, mice, and rabbits. Also takes birds, reptiles, and large … |
| Gelegegröße | 4-18 | 2-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Gemeinsame Lebensräume
Mallard only
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Rotschwanzbussard only
Mallard
Nearly any wetland habitat including lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, estuaries, and urban park ponds.
Rotschwanzbussard
Open country with scattered elevated perches such as trees, poles, and cliffs. Adaptable to farmland, grasslands, roadsides, and suburban areas.
Song & Call Comparison
Mallard
Female gives the classic 'quack-quack-quack', descending in pitch. Male utters soft nasal 'raeb-raeb'. Both give a high 'gag-gag-gag' when alarmed or taking flight.
Rotschwanzbussard
Iconic, raspy descending scream: 'kreeeeee-ar', often used in films for all raptors. Gives short barking 'kak' notes near nest. Juveniles beg with persistent squealing whistles.
Geographic Range & Migration
Mallard
Native across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Introduced to Australia and New Zealand.
Rotschwanzbussard
North America from Alaska to Panama, including the Caribbean. One of the most common raptors in North America.
Erhaltungsstatus
Mallard
Rotschwanzbussard
How to Tell Them Apart
Mallard
Breeding males have an iridescent green head, white neck ring, chestnut breast, and grey body. Females are mottled brown. Both sexes show a blue speculum bordered by white.
Broad, flat bill — yellow-green in males, orange-brown in females
Rotschwanzbussard
Variable plumage from pale to dark morphs. Most adults have rich brown upperparts, a pale breast with a dark belly band, and the characteristic rufous-red tail.
Dark hooked bill with a yellow cere
Key Differences
- • Weight: Red-tailed Hawk (1080g) vs Mallard (1100g)
- • Length: Red-tailed Hawk (53 cm) vs Mallard (58 cm)
- • Wingspan: Red-tailed Hawk (124 cm) vs Mallard (90 cm)
- • Family: Red-tailed Hawk (Accipitridae) vs Mallard (Anatidae)
- • Habitat: Red-tailed Hawk prefers Open country with scattered elevated perches such as trees,; Mallard prefers Nearly any wetland habitat including lakes, rivers, ponds, m
About These Birds
Mallard
The mallard is the ancestor of most domestic duck breeds and the most abundant and widespread dabbling duck in the world. Males perform elaborate courtship displays including head-bobbing and whistle-grunt calls. Mallards are highly adaptable, thriving in both wilderness and urban environments.
Rotschwanzbussard
The red-tailed hawk is the most widespread and common hawk in North America. Its screaming cry is so iconic that it is often dubbed over bald eagle footage in films and television. These adaptable raptors thrive in human-altered landscapes and are a familiar sight perched along highways.