Andean Goose vs African Pygmy-goose
Chloephaga melanoptera comparado con Nettapus auritus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Atributo | Andean Goose | African Pygmy-goose |
|---|---|---|
| Nombre científico | Chloephaga melanoptera | Nettapus auritus |
| Orden | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Familia | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Estado de conservación | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Longitud | — | — |
| Envergadura | 86,3 cm (34.0 in) | 29,9 cm (11.8 in) |
| Peso | 2617,5 g (92.33 oz) | 272,5 g (9.61 oz) |
| Dieta | Eats grasses, seeds, molluscs, and aquatic invertebrates; wades in shallow water; diet includes invertebrates year-round. | Filter-feeds on invertebrates and seeds; dabbles in shallow ponds; diet more plant-based outside spring breeding … |
| Tamaño de la puesta | 5-10 | 6-12 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
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.
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
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.
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
Andean Goose
Formerly widespread on the Mascarene Island of Réunion. Extinct in the 17th century; extirpated by hunting and introduced predators.
African Pygmy-goose
Breeds across temperate to sub-Arctic Eurasia; winters in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Estado de conservación
Andean Goose
African Pygmy-goose
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.
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
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.
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.