Ruddy-headed Goose vs Mallard
Chloephaga rubidiceps comparé à Anas platyrhynchos
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Ruddy-headed Goose | Mallard |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Chloephaga rubidiceps | Anas platyrhynchos |
| Ordre | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Famille | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Statut de conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Longueur | — | 58,0 cm (22.8 in) |
| Envergure | 65,1 cm (25.6 in) | 90,0 cm (35.4 in) |
| Poids | 1756,8333333333333 g (61.97 oz) | 1100,0 g (38.80 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | -- | Omnivorous — aquatic plants, seeds, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Feeds by dabbling, upending, and grazing … |
| Taille de la couvée | 3-8 | 4-18 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Ruddy-headed Goose
Breeds on open tussock grasslands and moorland in Tierra del Fuego and the Falkland Islands. Mainland wintering population on Patagonian grasslands now critically small. Falkland Islands population relatively stable.
Mallard
Nearly any wetland habitat including lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, estuaries, and urban park ponds.
Song & Call Comparison
Ruddy-headed Goose
A high, whistled 'whee' from males and a cackling rattle from females. Calls similar to Ashy-headed Goose. Falkland Islands population; calls in open coastal grassland.
Mallard
Female gives the classic 'quack-quack-quack', descending in pitch. Male utters soft nasal 'raeb-raeb'. Both give a high 'gag-gag-gag' when alarmed or taking flight.
Geographic Range & Migration
Ruddy-headed Goose
Mallard
Native across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Introduced to Australia and New Zealand.
Statut de conservation
Ruddy-headed Goose
Mallard
How to Tell Them Apart
Ruddy-headed Goose
Distinctive rufous-brown head and neck; body barred rufous and black above; underparts buff-white finely barred. Orange-yellow legs. White wing patches in flight. Compact; sexes similar. Falklands and Patagonia.
Mallard
Breeding males have an iridescent green head, white neck ring, chestnut breast, and grey body. Females are mottled brown. Both sexes show a blue speculum bordered by white.
Broad, flat bill — yellow-green in males, orange-brown in females
About These Birds
Ruddy-headed Goose
A small sheldgoose with a rich rufous-brown head and neck, buff-white belly, and barred back. One of the world's rarest geese; mainland population now nearly extinct. Breeds in Tierra del Fuego; main stronghold remains the Falkland Islands. Winters on the Argentine pampas.
Mallard
The mallard is the ancestor of most domestic duck breeds and the most abundant and widespread dabbling duck in the world. Males perform elaborate courtship displays including head-bobbing and whistle-grunt calls. Mallards are highly adaptable, thriving in both wilderness and urban environments.