Meller's Duck vs African Pygmy-goose
Anas melleri comparado con Nettapus auritus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Atributo | Meller's Duck | African Pygmy-goose |
|---|---|---|
| Nombre científico | Anas melleri | Nettapus auritus |
| Orden | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Familia | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Estado de conservación | Endangered | Least Concern |
| Longitud | — | — |
| Envergadura | 49,1 cm (19.3 in) | 29,9 cm (11.8 in) |
| Peso | 1023,625 g (36.11 oz) | 272,5 g (9.61 oz) |
| Dieta | Dives for fish and aquatic invertebrates in fast-flowing rivers; serrated bill grips slippery fish; diet … | Filter-feeds on invertebrates and seeds; dabbles in shallow ponds; diet more plant-based outside spring breeding … |
| Tamaño de la puesta | 5-11 | 6-12 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Meller's Duck
Freshwater lakes, marshes, rivers, and rice paddies in the eastern highlands and north of Madagascar. Prefers undisturbed native forest wetlands. Endangered by hunting and habitat conversion.
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
Meller's Duck
Female produces a loud, resonant quacking sequence; male gives a soft, nasal grunt. This large Malagasy duck vocalizes with powerful quacking calls along forest rivers and marshes.
African Pygmy-goose
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
Meller's Duck
Resident in wetlands and lakes from Turkey and Egypt through East Africa to the Cape. Non-migratory and widely distributed.
African Pygmy-goose
Breeds across temperate to sub-Arctic Eurasia; winters in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Estado de conservación
Meller's Duck
African Pygmy-goose
How to Tell Them Apart
Meller's Duck
Dark brown-olive plumage streaked and mottled with pale buff; resembles large dark Mallard without green head. Iridescent green speculum with white borders. Yellow-brown bill; orange legs. Madagascar endemic.
African Pygmy-goose
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
Meller's Duck
El pato de Meller es una especie grande de pato marrón oscuro endémica de Madagascar y las islas Mauricio. Es el pato dabbling más grande de Madagascar y habita en los grandes lagos, ríos y marismas del centro y este de la isla. Está clasificado como en peligro de extinción debido a la pérdida de hábitat, la caza y la hibridación con patos domésticos.
African Pygmy-goose
El pigmeo africano o pato enano africano es el pato más pequeño de África y uno de los patos más pequeños del mundo. Tiene plumaje de color verde oscuro y blanco con el cuello de color castaño rojizo. Habita en lagunas tranquilas, estanques y pantanos con abundante vegetación flotante, especialmente lirios de agua, en África subsahariana.