Canada Goose vs Wandering Whistling-duck

Branta canadensis comparé à Dendrocygna arcuata

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut Canada Goose Wandering Whistling-duck
Nom scientifique Branta canadensis Dendrocygna arcuata
Ordre Anseriformes Anseriformes
Famille Anatidae Anatidae
Statut de conservation Least Concern Least Concern
Longueur
Envergure 84,6 cm (33.3 in) 37,2 cm (14.6 in)
Poids 4906,599999999999 g (173.08 oz) 779,5 g (27.50 oz)
Régime alimentaire Grazes aquatic vegetation and grasses in Arctic tundra; migrates south to winter on estuaries eating … Eats grasses, sedges, and aquatic plants in tundra; winter diet of coastal salt marsh grasses …
Taille de la couvée 1-8 6-15
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

Canada Goose only

Wandering Whistling-duck only

Aucun(e)

Canada Goose

Lakes, rivers, ponds, parks, golf courses, agricultural fields, and coastal marshes across North America. Breeds on ground near water. Many populations now resident year-round in temperate urban areas.

Wandering Whistling-duck

Tropical freshwater marshes, flooded grasslands, swamps, and lake margins from the Philippines and Indonesia through Papua New Guinea to northern and eastern Australia. Nomadic following wet season flooding.

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Song & Call Comparison

Canada Goose

Chant

A loud, resonant 'a-honk' or 'hrr-onk'. Flocks produce a constant clamoring honk during migration. Also gives softer cackling contact calls. One of the most recognizable bird sounds.

Wandering Whistling-duck

Chant

A soft whistle 'whi-whi-whi' in flight. Less vocal than other whistling-ducks; flocks tend to be quieter. Given at dawn and dusk during flight to roosting or feeding areas.

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Geographic Range & Migration

Canada Goose

Breeds across Canada and Alaska; winters from the contiguous US to northern Mexico. Introduced populations resident in Europe and New Zealand.

Wandering Whistling-duck

Breeds in Arctic and subarctic regions; winters at sea around the Antarctic pack ice, one of the longest migrations known.

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Statut de conservation

Least Concern

Canada Goose

Least Concern

Wandering Whistling-duck

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How to Tell Them Apart

Canada Goose

Plumage

Black head and long neck with bold white chin strap. Back and wings brown-gray; underparts pale tan to white on belly. White undertail coverts. Tail black. Large and familiar; sexes …

Wandering Whistling-duck

Plumage

Rich chestnut-brown head and neck; dark brown back. Flanks rufous with pale buff streaks and dark spots. Belly blackish. Long, dark pinkish legs. Upright posture typical of whistling-ducks. Sexes similar.

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About These Birds

Canada Goose

A large familiar goose with a black head and neck, white chinstrap patch, brown body, and white undertail. The most widespread goose in North America. Populations have dramatically expanded in urban parks due to adaptability. Migratory in the northern range; increasingly resident in temperate regions.

Wandering Whistling-duck

A medium-sized whistling-duck with rufous-brown body, dark brown back, pale buff underparts, and a chestnut collar. Found in tropical wetlands from Indonesia to Australia and Pacific islands. Highly social and nomadic. Forages by dabbling and diving in shallow freshwater.

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