Andean Goose vs Mandarin Duck
Chloephaga melanoptera comparé à Aix galericulata
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Andean Goose | Mandarin Duck |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Chloephaga melanoptera | Aix galericulata |
| Ordre | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Famille | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Statut de conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Longueur | — | 44,0 cm (17.3 in) |
| Envergure | 86,3 cm (34.0 in) | 70,0 cm (27.6 in) |
| Poids | 2617,5 g (92.33 oz) | 570,0 g (20.11 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Eats grasses, seeds, molluscs, and aquatic invertebrates; wades in shallow water; diet includes invertebrates year-round. | Seeds, acorns, grains, aquatic plants, insects, snails, and small fish. Forages by dabbling, walking, and … |
| Taille de la couvée | 5-10 | 7-14 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Andean Goose
High-altitude puna grassland, bofedales (cushion bogs), and lakeshores at 3,500–5,500 m in the Andes from Peru through Bolivia and Chile to northwestern Argentina. Grazes beside glacial and alpine lakes.
Mandarin Duck
Wooded lakes, rivers, and ponds surrounded by dense forest. Unlike most ducks, regularly perches in trees and nests in tree cavities.
Song & Call Comparison
Andean Goose
A loud, cackling 'kek-kek-kek' from high-altitude Andean puna. Pairs are territorial and vocal. Calls carry well across open altiplano above 4,000 m elevation.
Mandarin Duck
Male gives a low whistled 'hib' or 'weep'. Female utters a soft quacking 'kek'. Generally quiet and secretive. No loud territorial song; vocalizations subtle and brief.
Geographic Range & Migration
Andean Goose
Formerly widespread on the Mascarene Island of Réunion. Extinct in the 17th century; extirpated by hunting and introduced predators.
Mandarin Duck
Native to East Asia including eastern Russia, China, Japan, and Korea. Feral populations established in Britain and western Europe.
Statut de conservation
Andean Goose
Mandarin Duck
How to Tell Them Apart
Andean Goose
Entirely white plumage except black-tipped primaries and black tail. Bill and legs coral-pink. Larger than most Chloephaga. Sexes similar. Inhabits high Andean lakes and grasslands above 3,000 m.
Mandarin Duck
Breeding males have an elaborate pattern of orange, green, white, and purple with distinctive orange sail feathers on the back. Females are grey-brown with a white eye-ring and stripe.
Small red bill in breeding males, pinkish in females
About These Birds
Andean Goose
A large white-and-black sheldgoose with a distinctive black-tipped pink-and-black bill, bright pink legs, and black wings. Endemic to high Andean puna. One of the highest-living birds in the Americas; found beside glacial lakes and streams. Monogamous; highly territorial during breeding.
Mandarin Duck
The mandarin duck is widely considered the most beautiful duck in the world. In East Asian culture, mandarin ducks symbolize love and fidelity because they form strong pair bonds. Unlike most ducks, mandarins nest in tree holes up to 9 meters above the ground, and day-old ducklings must leap to the ground.