Long-tailed Duck vs Black-headed Duck
Clangula hyemalis comparé à Heteronetta atricapilla
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Long-tailed Duck | Black-headed Duck |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Clangula hyemalis | Heteronetta atricapilla |
| Ordre | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Famille | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Statut de conservation | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Longueur | — | — |
| Envergure | 43,1 cm (17.0 in) | 34,7 cm (13.7 in) |
| Poids | 782,0 g (27.58 oz) | 528,5 g (18.64 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Dives deeply for crustaceans, molluscs, and small fish in Arctic and subarctic seas. Freshwater invertebrates … | Parasitic; adults may feed on aquatic plants, seeds, and invertebrates in South American marshes. Diet … |
| Taille de la couvée | 2-11 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Long-tailed Duck
Male sings a musical, yodeling ow-owlet-aaaalett sequence; female gives a low, grunting quack. The male's loud, harmonious yodeling is arguably the most musical call among all waterfowl species.
Black-headed Duck
Male gives a soft, raspy peeping note; female produces a muted quack. An obligate brood parasite with reduced vocalizations; subdued calls suit its secretive lifestyle among Argentine reeds.
Geographic Range & Migration
Long-tailed Duck
Circumpolar High Arctic breeder. Winters at sea on coasts of northwestern Europe, northeastern North America, and the Bering Sea region.
Black-headed Duck
Resident in southern South America from southern Brazil and Bolivia south to Argentina and Chile. Found on lakes and marshes in open lowlands.
Statut de conservation
Long-tailed Duck
Black-headed Duck
How to Tell Them Apart
Long-tailed Duck
Male in winter is mostly white with dark brown chest band, scapulars, and cheek patch; elongated central tail feathers extend well beyond body. Female is brownish with white face, dark …
Black-headed Duck
Male has distinctive jet-black head and neck, warm chestnut-brown back, and pale buff underparts; blue-grey bill with red base. Female is streaked brown above with pale supercilium and whitish underparts.
About These Birds
Long-tailed Duck
A medium-sized Arctic sea duck (~780 g) in family Anatidae, males having elongated central tail feathers. Breeds across circumpolar tundra; winters in large flocks on coastal and open-ocean waters. Dives to impressive depths for crustaceans, fish, and mollusks. Vulnerable; steep population declines linked to bycatch in fishing nets and climate change.
Black-headed Duck
A small diving duck (~530 g) of South America, family Anatidae, and the sole member of genus Heteronetta. Inhabits freshwater marshes and lakes in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay. Unique among waterfowl as an obligate brood parasite, laying eggs in nests of coots and other waterbirds. Feeds on seeds and aquatic invertebrates. Least Concern.