Andean Goose vs Mute Swan
Chloephaga melanoptera comparado con Cygnus olor
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Atributo | Andean Goose | Mute Swan |
|---|---|---|
| Nombre científico | Chloephaga melanoptera | Cygnus olor |
| Orden | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Familia | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Estado de conservación | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Longitud | — | 152,0 cm (59.8 in) |
| Envergadura | 86,3 cm (34.0 in) | 235,0 cm (92.5 in) |
| Peso | 2617,5 g (92.33 oz) | 11000,0 g (388.01 oz) |
| Dieta | Eats grasses, seeds, molluscs, and aquatic invertebrates; wades in shallow water; diet includes invertebrates year-round. | Submerged aquatic vegetation, algae, and grass. Feeds by upending in shallow water, reaching depths of … |
| Tamaño de la puesta | 5-10 | 5-7 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Andean Goose
High-altitude puna grassland, bofedales (cushion bogs), and lakeshores at 3,500–5,500 m in the Andes from Peru through Bolivia and Chile to northwestern Argentina. Grazes beside glacial and alpine lakes.
Mute Swan
Lakes, slow rivers, estuaries, and coastal lagoons. Often associated with parks and ornamental waters in Europe.
Song & Call Comparison
Andean Goose
A loud, cackling 'kek-kek-kek' from high-altitude Andean puna. Pairs are territorial and vocal. Calls carry well across open altiplano above 4,000 m elevation.
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.
Geographic Range & Migration
Andean Goose
Formerly widespread on the Mascarene Island of Réunion. Extinct in the 17th century; extirpated by hunting and introduced predators.
Mute Swan
Native to Europe and western Asia. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Estado de conservación
Andean Goose
Mute Swan
How to Tell Them Apart
Andean Goose
Entirely white plumage except black-tipped primaries and black tail. Bill and legs coral-pink. Larger than most Chloephaga. Sexes similar. Inhabits high Andean lakes and grasslands above 3,000 m.
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
About These Birds
Andean Goose
La guayata o ganso andino es un ganso de los Andes que habita en los páramos y el altiplano desde el sur de Perú hasta el norte de Chile y Argentina, a menudo por encima de los 4.500 metros. Tiene plumaje casi completamente blanco con las alas de color negro brillante. Es el ganso que vive a mayor altitud en el mundo, tolerando condiciones de frío y baja presión de oxígeno extremas.
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.