Musk Duck vs African Pygmy-goose
Biziura lobata comparé à Nettapus auritus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Musk Duck | African Pygmy-goose |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Biziura lobata | Nettapus auritus |
| Ordre | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Famille | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Statut de conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Longueur | — | — |
| Envergure | 42,3 cm (16.7 in) | 29,9 cm (11.8 in) |
| Poids | 1930,75 g (68.11 oz) | 272,5 g (9.61 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Dives for aquatic invertebrates, small fish, and plant material in Australian freshwater lakes. Highly aquatic; … | Filter-feeds on invertebrates and seeds; dabbles in shallow ponds; diet more plant-based outside spring breeding … |
| Taille de la couvée | 2-3 | 6-12 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
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
Musk Duck
Male produces a loud, explosive plonk call followed by bill-drumming on the water surface; female gives a harsh quack. The male's bizarre splashing display is unique and unmistakable among Australian …
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
Musk Duck
Endemic to southern Australia, including southeastern and southwestern regions. Found on wetlands with lignum and reeds.
African Pygmy-goose
Breeds across temperate to sub-Arctic Eurasia; winters in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Statut de conservation
Musk Duck
African Pygmy-goose
How to Tell Them Apart
Musk Duck
Both sexes are uniformly dark sooty-brown, densely barred and vermiculated with black; male has distinctive pendulous black lobe hanging below bill. Females and immatures are smaller and lack the lobe.
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
Musk Duck
Australia's largest stiff-tailed duck (~1.9 kg), family Anatidae, males bearing a leathery lobe pendant from the bill. Inhabits deep permanent freshwater lakes and swamps in southern Australia. Males emit a musky odor during courtship displays. Dives for fish, frogs, crustaceans, and mollusks. Least Concern; solitary and rarely seen due to secretive behavior.
African Pygmy-goose
A tiny jewel-like duck—one of Africa's smallest waterfowl. Males have iridescent green-and-white plumage, an orange bill, and a dark green cap; females are mottled brown. Found on lily-covered lakes in sub-Saharan Africa. Perches on water lily pads and feeds on their seeds and flowers.