Long-tailed Duck vs Mallard
Clangula hyemalis comparé à Anas platyrhynchos
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Long-tailed Duck | Mallard |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Clangula hyemalis | Anas platyrhynchos |
| Ordre | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Famille | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Statut de conservation | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Longueur | — | 58,0 cm (22.8 in) |
| Envergure | 43,1 cm (17.0 in) | 90,0 cm (35.4 in) |
| Poids | 782,0 g (27.58 oz) | 1100,0 g (38.80 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Dives deeply for crustaceans, molluscs, and small fish in Arctic and subarctic seas. Freshwater invertebrates … | Omnivorous — aquatic plants, seeds, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Feeds by dabbling, upending, and grazing … |
| Taille de la couvée | 2-11 | 4-18 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Mallard
Nearly any wetland habitat including lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, estuaries, and urban park ponds.
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.
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
Long-tailed Duck
Circumpolar High Arctic breeder. Winters at sea on coasts of northwestern Europe, northeastern North America, and the Bering Sea region.
Mallard
Native across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Introduced to Australia and New Zealand.
Statut de conservation
Long-tailed Duck
Mallard
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 …
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
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.
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.