Black-headed Duck vs Cotton Pygmy-goose
Heteronetta atricapilla comparé à Nettapus coromandelianus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Black-headed Duck | Cotton Pygmy-goose |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Heteronetta atricapilla | Nettapus coromandelianus |
| Ordre | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Famille | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Statut de conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Longueur | — | — |
| Envergure | 34,7 cm (13.7 in) | 31,7 cm (12.5 in) |
| Poids | 528,5 g (18.64 oz) | 343,5 g (12.12 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Parasitic; adults may feed on aquatic plants, seeds, and invertebrates in South American marshes. Diet … | Feeds on aquatic invertebrates, seeds, and plant material; dabbles in shallow water; invertebrate diet peaks … |
| Taille de la couvée | 2 | 6-18 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Cotton Pygmy-goose
Freshwater lakes, ponds, slow rivers, and rice paddies with aquatic vegetation from India east through Southeast Asia, China, and New Guinea to northern and eastern Australia. Nests in tree holes near water.
Song & Call Comparison
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.
Cotton Pygmy-goose
Male emits a rapid, clucking chatter resembling a toy rattle; female responds with soft, muffled quacks. In flight both sexes produce a distinctive whistling wing-beat.
Geographic Range & Migration
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.
Cotton Pygmy-goose
Breeds in northern Eurasia; winters in the tropics of Africa and Asia. Migratory; routes cross through the Middle East.
Statut de conservation
Black-headed Duck
Cotton Pygmy-goose
How to Tell Them Apart
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.
Cotton Pygmy-goose
Males white below and white-faced with dark green crown and collar; black back with iridescent green gloss; white wing bar conspicuous in flight. Females brown-gray with pale supercilium. Tiny; perches …
About These Birds
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.
Cotton Pygmy-goose
A tiny duck with males having striking white head and underparts, black back, and green iridescence on the crown. Found from India to Australia. Perches on aquatic vegetation and nests in tree hollows. Feeds on water lily seeds and aquatic plants. One of the world's smallest ducks.