Mallard vs Crested Shelduck
Anas platyrhynchos comparé à Tadorna cristata
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Mallard | Crested Shelduck |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Anas platyrhynchos | Tadorna cristata |
| Ordre | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Famille | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Statut de conservation | Least Concern | Critically Endangered |
| Longueur | 58,0 cm (22.8 in) | — |
| Envergure | 90,0 cm (35.4 in) | 59,8 cm (23.5 in) |
| Poids | 1100,0 g (38.80 oz) | 1235,0 g (43.56 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Omnivorous — aquatic plants, seeds, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Feeds by dabbling, upending, and grazing … | -- |
| Taille de la couvée | 4-18 | 10 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Mallard
Nearly any wetland habitat including lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, estuaries, and urban park ponds.
Crested Shelduck
Historically known from coastal Korea, Siberia, and possibly Japan. Habitat preferences poorly known; specimens were collected near coasts and rivers. Possibly extinct.
Song & Call Comparison
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.
Crested Shelduck
Critically endangered; last confirmed sightings in 1971. No vocalizations reliably recorded. Presumed similar to related shelducks based on phylogeny but effectively unknown.
Geographic Range & Migration
Mallard
Native across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Introduced to Australia and New Zealand.
Crested Shelduck
Statut de conservation
Mallard
Crested Shelduck
How to Tell Them Apart
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
Crested Shelduck
Critically rare; known from few specimens. Males dark green head with bushy crest; black and white body with chestnut flanks. Females have white facial markings and brown-barred body. Possibly extinct; …
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.
Crested Shelduck
A mysterious possibly extinct shelduck known from only a handful of specimens collected in Korea and Siberia before 1916. Males had a black head with green sheen, white crest, and colorful body. No confirmed sightings since 1971. Possibly on the edge of extinction or already extinct.