Greater White-fronted Goose vs Black-bellied Whistling-duck

Anser albifrons comparé à Dendrocygna autumnalis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut Greater White-fronted Goose Black-bellied Whistling-duck
Nom scientifique Anser albifrons Dendrocygna autumnalis
Ordre Anseriformes Anseriformes
Famille Anatidae Anatidae
Statut de conservation Least Concern Least Concern
Longueur
Envergure 81,6 cm (32.1 in) 48,2 cm (19.0 in)
Poids 2471,0 g (87.16 oz) 757,9 g (26.73 oz)
Régime alimentaire Dabbles for aquatic invertebrates, seeds, and plant material; diet shifts heavily toward invertebrates in breeding … Grazes subarctic tundra grasses and sedges; winters on coastal salt marshes and agricultural fields eating …
Taille de la couvée 3-9 9-18
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

Greater White-fronted Goose only

Black-bellied Whistling-duck only

Aucun(e)

Greater White-fronted Goose

Breeds on Arctic and subarctic tundra and peatlands. Winters on estuaries, agricultural fields, freshwater marshes, and flooded meadows across Europe, Asia, and North America. One of the most widespread geese.

Black-bellied Whistling-duck

Freshwater wetlands, ponds, lake margins, flooded fields, and wooded swamps from the southern United States and Mexico through Central America to Ecuador, Bolivia, and Argentina. Uses nest boxes readily.

Song & Call Comparison

Greater White-fronted Goose

Chant

A loud, laughing 'kow-lyuk' or musical 'wah-wah'. Gives a distinctive high-pitched yodeling quality lacking in Greylag. Highly vocal in large winter flocks.

Black-bellied Whistling-duck

Chant

A high, reedy whistle 'pe-che-che-ne' given in flight. Flocks produce a continuous whistling chorus. Also gives a squeaky 'whe-eee' contact call while swimming.

Geographic Range & Migration

Greater White-fronted Goose

Breeds in the potholes region of the northern Great Plains; winters in the southern United States and along the Gulf Coast.

Black-bellied Whistling-duck

Inhabits freshwater marshes and riverbanks from southeastern Brazil to northern Argentina and Bolivia. Sedentary; locally common.

Statut de conservation

Least Concern

Greater White-fronted Goose

Least Concern

Black-bellied Whistling-duck

How to Tell Them Apart

Greater White-fronted Goose

Plumage

Brown-gray body with white forehead patch bordered by white band at bill base. Underparts with bold irregular black bars on belly. Orange bill; orange-yellow legs. Juveniles lack white front and …

Black-bellied Whistling-duck

Plumage

Gray head with brown cap and chestnut breast; black belly is distinctive. Wings show broad white patch in flight. Coral-pink bill and long pink legs. Upright posture. Sexes similar.

About These Birds

Greater White-fronted Goose

A medium-large goose with a white forehead patch, orange bill, grey-brown plumage, and variable black barring on the belly. Widespread and numerous; one of the most abundant geese in the world. Breeds across the high Arctic; winters in a wide range of temperate wetland and agricultural habitats.

Black-bellied Whistling-duck

A boldly patterned whistling-duck with a bright red bill, chestnut-and-black body, broad white wing stripe, and a distinctive whistling call. Common in freshwater wetlands from the southern United States to central South America. Nests in tree cavities. Often perches in trees—unusual for waterfowl.

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