Torrent Duck vs African Pygmy-goose
Merganetta armata comparé à Nettapus auritus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Torrent Duck | African Pygmy-goose |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Merganetta armata | Nettapus auritus |
| Ordre | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Famille | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Statut de conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Longueur | — | — |
| Envergure | 32,7 cm (12.9 in) | 29,9 cm (11.8 in) |
| Poids | 366,875 g (12.94 oz) | 272,5 g (9.61 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Filter-feeds on aquatic invertebrates and seeds; dabbles in shallow wetlands; diet more plant-based in winter … | Filter-feeds on invertebrates and seeds; dabbles in shallow ponds; diet more plant-based outside spring breeding … |
| Taille de la couvée | 3-4 | 6-12 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Torrent Duck
Fast-flowing clear Andean mountain rivers and torrents at 1,500–4,500 m from Venezuela south through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Chile to Tierra del Fuego. Requires bouldered well-oxygenated rapids.
African Pygmy-goose
Freshwater lakes, ponds, and rivers with floating water lilies and other aquatic vegetation across sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to Tanzania. Nests in tree cavities near water. Highly dependent on water lily vegetation.
Song & Call Comparison
Torrent Duck
A sharp, staccato 'pit' or 'wit' call. Males give a loud, ringing whistle. The Torrent Duck is a fast-flowing Andean river specialist; calls carry over powerful rapids.
African Pygmy-goose
Male produces a soft, wheezy whistle; female gives a quiet, duck-like quack. Pairs exchange rapid twittering notes during courtship on lily-covered African pools.
Geographic Range & Migration
Torrent Duck
Breeds in the northern prairie pothole region; winters along both coasts of the United States and south to Mexico.
African Pygmy-goose
Breeds across temperate to sub-Arctic Eurasia; winters in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Statut de conservation
Torrent Duck
African Pygmy-goose
How to Tell Them Apart
Torrent Duck
Striking sexual dimorphism. Males have white head with black stripes and red bill; dark back with rufous breast. Females gray above with rufous-cinnamon underparts. Stiff tail; specialized for fast-running rivers.
African Pygmy-goose
Tiny. Males have glossy dark green head with orange facial patch and ear spot; chestnut-orange flanks; white underparts; black and green back. Females duller with dark eye-stripe. Small yellow-green bill.
About These Birds
Torrent Duck
A slim agile duck perfectly adapted to fast-flowing Andean rivers. Males are striking with a white-and-black-streaked head, red bill, and chestnut breast; females are rufous below. Forages by diving and swimming in violent rapids, holding on to boulders with strong claws. Monogamous with strong site fidelity.
African Pygmy-goose
A tiny jewel-like duck—one of Africa's smallest waterfowl. Males have iridescent green-and-white plumage, an orange bill, and a dark green cap; females are mottled brown. Found on lily-covered lakes in sub-Saharan Africa. Perches on water lily pads and feeds on their seeds and flowers.