Black-headed Duck vs Masked Duck
Heteronetta atricapilla comparé à Nomonyx dominicus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Black-headed Duck | Masked Duck |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Heteronetta atricapilla | Nomonyx dominicus |
| Ordre | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Famille | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Statut de conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Longueur | — | — |
| Envergure | 34,7 cm (13.7 in) | 27,6 cm (10.9 in) |
| Poids | 528,5 g (18.64 oz) | 361,0 g (12.73 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Parasitic; adults may feed on aquatic plants, seeds, and invertebrates in South American marshes. Diet … | Dives and dabbles for aquatic seeds, plant matter, and invertebrates in freshwater marshes and ponds … |
| Taille de la couvée | 2 | 4-6 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
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.
Masked Duck
Male emits a soft, dove-like cooing note; female gives a harsh, emphatic quack. The male's gentle, almost melodic cooing is surprising for a stiff-tail; heard in tropical American marshes.
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.
Masked Duck
Resident from Mexico and the Caribbean south through Central America to northern South America. Found in lowland freshwater marshes and lagoons.
Statut de conservation
Black-headed Duck
Masked Duck
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.
Masked Duck
Male is rich rufous-chestnut with black mask from forehead to face, boldly spotted black on upperparts; blue bill. Female is streaked buff and brown with two dark facial stripes crossing …
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.
Masked Duck
A small stiff-tailed duck (~360 g) of family Anatidae, breeding males with a black mask and chestnut body. Inhabits densely vegetated freshwater marshes and ponds from southern Texas to South America and the Caribbean. Dives for seeds and aquatic invertebrates. Secretive and rarely observed. Least Concern; tolerates a broad range of wetland habitats.