Mute Swan vs White-backed Duck
Cygnus olor verglichen mit Thalassornis leuconotus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Merkmal | Mute Swan | White-backed Duck |
|---|---|---|
| Wissenschaftlicher Name | Cygnus olor | Thalassornis leuconotus |
| Ordnung | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Familie | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Erhaltungsstatus | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Länge | 152,0 cm (59.8 in) | — |
| Flügelspannweite | 235,0 cm (92.5 in) | 33,3 cm (13.1 in) |
| Gewicht | 11000,0 g (388.01 oz) | 704,6666666666666 g (24.86 oz) |
| Ernährung | Submerged aquatic vegetation, algae, and grass. Feeds by upending in shallow water, reaching depths of … | Eats aquatic plants, grasses, and seeds; large tropical swan grazing on lake margins and floating … |
| Gelegegröße | 5-7 | 4-10 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Mute Swan
Lakes, slow rivers, estuaries, and coastal lagoons. Often associated with parks and ornamental waters in Europe.
White-backed Duck
Freshwater lakes, ponds, and swamps with abundant floating aquatic vegetation, especially water lilies, in sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. Prefers shallow sheltered water with emergent vegetation for cover.
Song & Call Comparison
Mute Swan
Despite its name, not truly mute: gives hissing snorts and low grunting when threatened. Wings produce a loud rhythmic whistling throbbing sound in flight.
White-backed Duck
Soft, low whistles and hissing sounds. The White-backed Duck is relatively quiet compared to whistling-ducks. Alarm call is a low 'peep'. Mostly heard at night.
Geographic Range & Migration
Mute Swan
Native to Europe and western Asia. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
White-backed Duck
Breeds in subarctic Canada; winters along the Atlantic coast from New England to Florida and on the Gulf Coast.
Erhaltungsstatus
Mute Swan
White-backed Duck
How to Tell Them Apart
Mute Swan
All-white plumage in adults. Cygnets are grey-brown, gradually whitening over the first year. Graceful S-curved neck posture is distinctive.
Orange bill with a prominent black knob at the base, larger in males
White-backed Duck
Heavily mottled and barred brown and buff overall. Diagnostic white back patch visible in flight. Head brown with whitish face and chin. Stiff tail held erect. Sexes similar; stiff-tail diving …
About These Birds
Mute Swan
The mute swan is one of the heaviest flying birds, with males weighing up to 14 kg. Despite its name, it is not truly mute, producing hissing, grunting, and snorting sounds. Mute swans form lifelong pair bonds and their aggressive defense of nesting territory is well known.
White-backed Duck
A small compact brown-barred diving duck with a distinctive white back visible in flight and a large dark-blotched bill. Shy and easily overlooked among floating aquatic vegetation. An expert diver, feeding on water-lily seeds and tubers in African freshwater wetlands.