African Pygmy-goose vs Knob-billed Duck

Nettapus auritus comparé à Sarkidiornis melanotos

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut African Pygmy-goose Knob-billed Duck
Nom scientifique Nettapus auritus Sarkidiornis melanotos
Ordre Anseriformes Anseriformes
Famille Anatidae Anatidae
Statut de conservation Least Concern Least Concern
Longueur
Envergure 29,9 cm (11.8 in) 64,2 cm (25.3 in)
Poids 272,5 g (9.61 oz) 1817,5 g (64.11 oz)
Régime alimentaire Filter-feeds on invertebrates and seeds; dabbles in shallow ponds; diet more plant-based outside spring breeding … --
Taille de la couvée 6-12 6-20
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

African Pygmy-goose only

Aucun(e)

Knob-billed Duck only

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.

Knob-billed Duck

Freshwater lakes, marshes, floodplains, and forested wetlands across sub-Saharan Africa and South and Southeast Asia from India to southern China. Nests in large tree hollows near water.

Song & Call Comparison

African Pygmy-goose

Chant

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.

Knob-billed Duck

Chant

A low, grunting 'wuk' or soft, nasal 'krank'. Similar to Comb Duck in call quality. Generally quiet; calls are not loud or distinctive compared to other large African waterfowl.

Geographic Range & Migration

African Pygmy-goose

Breeds across temperate to sub-Arctic Eurasia; winters in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

Knob-billed Duck

Statut de conservation

Least Concern

African Pygmy-goose

Least Concern

Knob-billed Duck

How to Tell Them Apart

African Pygmy-goose

Plumage

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.

Knob-billed Duck

Plumage

Males have white head with black spots; iridescent dark blue-black back and wings; white underparts with gray flanks. Large black fleshy knob atop bill. Females smaller, brown, and lack the …

About These Birds

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.

Knob-billed Duck

Old World equivalent of the Comb Duck, with iridescent black-and-white body and the male's distinctive bill knob. Found across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Uses tree cavities for nesting. Gregarious outside breeding season; forms large flocks at seasonal wetlands.

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