Mute Swan vs Resplendent Quetzal
Cygnus olor comparé à Pharomachrus mocinno
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Mute Swan | Resplendent Quetzal |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Cygnus olor | Pharomachrus mocinno |
| Ordre | Anseriformes | Trogoniformes |
| Famille | Anatidae | Trogonidae |
| Statut de conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
| Longueur | 152,0 cm (59.8 in) | 36,0 cm (14.2 in) |
| Envergure | 235,0 cm (92.5 in) | 50,0 cm (19.7 in) |
| Poids | 11000,0 g (388.01 oz) | 210,0 g (7.41 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Submerged aquatic vegetation, algae, and grass. Feeds by upending in shallow water, reaching depths of … | Primarily wild avocados and other laurel family fruits, supplemented with insects, lizards, and frogs. A … |
| Taille de la couvée | 5-7 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Habitats partagés
Aucun(e)
Mute Swan only
Resplendent Quetzal only
Mute Swan
Lakes, slow rivers, estuaries, and coastal lagoons. Often associated with parks and ornamental waters in Europe.
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
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.
Resplendent Quetzal
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
Mute Swan
Native to Europe and western Asia. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Resplendent Quetzal
Southern Mexico through Central America to western Panama. Resident in mountain cloud forests.
Statut de conservation
Mute Swan
Resplendent Quetzal
How to Tell Them Apart
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
Resplendent Quetzal
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.
Short, broad, bright yellow bill partially hidden by green feathers
About These Birds
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.
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.