Cape Barren Goose vs Wandering Whistling-duck

Cereopsis novaehollandiae comparé à Dendrocygna arcuata

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut Cape Barren Goose Wandering Whistling-duck
Nom scientifique Cereopsis novaehollandiae Dendrocygna arcuata
Ordre Anseriformes Anseriformes
Famille Anatidae Anatidae
Statut de conservation Least Concern Least Concern
Longueur
Envergure 94,2 cm (37.1 in) 37,2 cm (14.6 in)
Poids 3816,6666666666665 g (134.63 oz) 779,5 g (27.50 oz)
Régime alimentaire -- Eats grasses, sedges, and aquatic plants in tundra; winter diet of coastal salt marsh grasses …
Taille de la couvée 3-6 6-15
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

Cape Barren Goose only

Wandering Whistling-duck only

Aucun(e)

Cape Barren Goose

Open grasslands, heathlands, and low scrub on offshore islands and coastal mainland of southern Australia. Grazes in open areas. Nests on the ground. Largely sedentary with some mainland movements in winter.

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.

Song & Call Comparison

Cape Barren Goose

Chant

A loud, grunting 'honk-honk' from both sexes. The Cape Barren Goose gives pig-like grunting and cackling sounds. Not musical; its calls are distinctive but harsh.

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.

Geographic Range & Migration

Cape Barren Goose

Wandering Whistling-duck

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

Statut de conservation

Least Concern

Cape Barren Goose

Least Concern

Wandering Whistling-duck

How to Tell Them Apart

Cape Barren Goose

Plumage

Pale ash-gray plumage with small dark spots on wing coverts. Head whitish-gray. Bill short with prominent lime-green cere. Legs and feet pinkish-red. Sexes similar; one of few native Australian geese.

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.

About These Birds

Cape Barren Goose

A large pale grey goose with a distinctive lime-green cere at the base of its short dark bill and pink legs. Endemic to southern Australia. Grazes on grasses and low scrub on offshore islands. Territorial and aggressive; pairs hold year-round territories. Can survive without fresh water.

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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