Mallard vs Resplendent Quetzal

Anas platyrhynchos comparé à Pharomachrus mocinno

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut Mallard Resplendent Quetzal
Nom scientifique Anas platyrhynchos Pharomachrus mocinno
Ordre Anseriformes Trogoniformes
Famille Anatidae Trogonidae
Statut de conservation Least Concern Near Threatened
Longueur 58,0 cm (22.8 in) 36,0 cm (14.2 in)
Envergure 90,0 cm (35.4 in) 50,0 cm (19.7 in)
Poids 1100,0 g (38.80 oz) 210,0 g (7.41 oz)
Régime alimentaire Omnivorous — aquatic plants, seeds, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Feeds by dabbling, upending, and grazing … Primarily wild avocados and other laurel family fruits, supplemented with insects, lizards, and frogs. A …
Taille de la couvée 4-18 1-2
Population Trend

Size Comparison

Body Length
Mallard 58,0 cm
Resplendent Quetzal 36,0 cm
Envergure
Mallard 90,0 cm
Resplendent Quetzal 50,0 cm
Poids
Mallard 1100,0 g
Resplendent Quetzal 210,0 g

Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

Aucun(e)

Mallard only

Resplendent Quetzal only

Mallard

Nearly any wetland habitat including lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, estuaries, and urban park ponds.

Resplendent Quetzal

Montane cloud forests at elevations between 1,200 and 3,000 meters. Requires old-growth forest with dead trees for nesting cavities.

Song & Call Comparison

Mallard

Chant

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.

Resplendent Quetzal

Chant

Melodious, repetitive cooing: a series of 'kowee-kowee-kowee' or 'woh-woh-woh-woh' phrases. Male sings from high exposed perches in cloud forest canopy. Evocative highland call.

Geographic Range & Migration

Mallard

Native across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Introduced to Australia and New Zealand.

Resplendent Quetzal

Southern Mexico through Central America to western Panama. Resident in mountain cloud forests.

Statut de conservation

Least Concern

Mallard

Near Threatened

Resplendent Quetzal

How to Tell Them Apart

Mallard

Plumage

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.

Bec

Broad, flat bill — yellow-green in males, orange-brown in females

Resplendent Quetzal

Plumage

Males have iridescent emerald-green upperparts, a crimson-red breast, and extraordinarily long green tail coverts streaming up to 65 cm beyond the tail. Females are duller with grey breasts.

Bec

Short, broad, bright yellow bill partially hidden by green feathers

About These Birds

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.

Resplendent Quetzal

The resplendent quetzal was considered divine by the Maya and Aztec civilizations, associated with the feathered serpent god Quetzalcoatl. Its iridescent green plumage and long tail streamers make it one of the most beautiful birds in the world. Guatemala's currency is named after this bird.

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