Reunion Shelduck vs African Black Duck

Alopochen kervazoi comparé à Anas sparsa

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut Reunion Shelduck African Black Duck
Nom scientifique Alopochen kervazoi Anas sparsa
Ordre Anseriformes Anseriformes
Famille Anatidae Anatidae
Statut de conservation Extinct Least Concern
Longueur
Envergure 49,5 cm (19.5 in)
Poids 996,8333333333334 g (35.16 oz)
Régime alimentaire -- --
Taille de la couvée -- 4-9
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

Reunion Shelduck only

Aucun(e)

African Black Duck only

Reunion Shelduck

Historically restricted to Réunion Island in the Mascarene archipelago. Now extinct; last evidence from early colonial period. Presumably inhabited freshwater wetland habitats on the island.

African Black Duck

Fast-flowing rocky rivers and streams, mountain gorges, and waterfalls from sea level to 4,000 m across sub-Saharan Africa from Ethiopia and Kenya south to the Cape. Requires clear turbulent water with boulders.

Song & Call Comparison

Reunion Shelduck

Chant

Extinct (EX); no vocalizations recorded. The Reunion Shelduck was exterminated soon after European contact. No contemporary accounts of its call survive in the historical record.

African Black Duck

Chant

Produces a harsh, resonant quacking call; alarm is a loud, emphatic quack repeated rapidly. Both sexes call with strong quacking; pairs duet with synchronized calls along African rivers.

Statut de conservation

Extinct

Reunion Shelduck

Least Concern

African Black Duck

How to Tell Them Apart

Reunion Shelduck

Plumage

Extinct Mascarene species known only from subfossil bones found on Réunion. Plumage unrecorded; presumed similar to Egyptian Goose with brownish-gray tones. Extirpated following European colonization.

African Black Duck

Plumage

Dark blackish-brown plumage with bold white spots on back and scapulars. Iridescent blue-green speculum with white borders. Head dark with pale spots. Bill and legs dark gray. Sexes similar. Fast-flowing …

About These Birds

Reunion Shelduck

An extinct shelduck formerly endemic to Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean. Known only from subfossil bones and brief historical records from the 17th century. Went extinct shortly after European colonization. No illustrations or detailed physical description of the living bird is known.

African Black Duck

A medium-sized dark brown duck with white spots on the back, a dark bill, and orange legs. Found along fast-flowing rocky rivers and streams in Africa. Territorial and monogamous; pairs defend stretches of river. Related to Pacific Black Duck.

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