Blue Duck vs Mute Swan
Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos comparé à Cygnus olor
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Blue Duck | Mute Swan |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos | Cygnus olor |
| Ordre | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Famille | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Statut de conservation | Endangered | Least Concern |
| Longueur | — | 152,0 cm (59.8 in) |
| Envergure | 45,6 cm (18.0 in) | 235,0 cm (92.5 in) |
| Poids | 861,75 g (30.40 oz) | 11000,0 g (388.01 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Eats aquatic invertebrates, seeds, and plant material; dabbles in shallow fresh water; invertebrate diet peaks … | Submerged aquatic vegetation, algae, and grass. Feeds by upending in shallow water, reaching depths of … |
| Taille de la couvée | 5-6 | 5-7 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Blue Duck
Fast-flowing clear turbulent mountain rivers and streams in pristine native forest at 300–1,500 m in both main islands of New Zealand. Requires undisturbed riparian habitat with abundant aquatic invertebrates.
Mute Swan
Lakes, slow rivers, estuaries, and coastal lagoons. Often associated with parks and ornamental waters in Europe.
Song & Call Comparison
Blue Duck
A soft, musical whistle from fast-flowing South Island rivers. Call is a clear 'whio' — giving the bird its Maori name. Also gives a soft, reedy 'squeak'. Endangered; rarely heard.
Mute Swan
Despite its name, not truly mute: gives hissing snorts and low grunting when threatened. Wings produce a loud rhythmic whistling throbbing sound in flight.
Geographic Range & Migration
Blue Duck
Breeds on open prairie wetlands of the Great Plains; winters in shallow estuaries and marshes along the Gulf of Mexico.
Mute Swan
Native to Europe and western Asia. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Statut de conservation
Blue Duck
Mute Swan
How to Tell Them Apart
Blue Duck
Distinctive slate-blue-gray plumage; breast spotted with chestnut-brown in both sexes. Pale bill with flexible pink lobes at tip. Chestnut eye. Sexes similar; adapted to fast-flowing mountain streams in New Zealand.
Mute Swan
All-white plumage in adults. Cygnets are grey-brown, gradually whitening over the first year. Graceful S-curved neck posture is distinctive.
Orange bill with a prominent black knob at the base, larger in males
About These Birds
Blue Duck
A medium-sized blue-grey torrent duck with a pale pink bill tipped with a distinctive flap of skin, and chestnut-spotted breast. Endemic to New Zealand's fast-flowing mountain rivers. One of New Zealand's most endangered endemics. Monogamous with strong site fidelity to individual river territories.
Mute Swan
The mute swan is one of the heaviest flying birds, with males weighing up to 14 kg. Despite its name, it is not truly mute, producing hissing, grunting, and snorting sounds. Mute swans form lifelong pair bonds and their aggressive defense of nesting territory is well known.