African Pygmy-goose vs White-headed Steamerduck
Nettapus auritus comparé à Tachyeres leucocephalus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | African Pygmy-goose | White-headed Steamerduck |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Nettapus auritus | Tachyeres leucocephalus |
| Ordre | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Famille | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Statut de conservation | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
| Longueur | — | — |
| Envergure | 29,9 cm (11.8 in) | 55,0 cm (21.7 in) |
| Poids | 272,5 g (9.61 oz) | 3250,0 g (114.64 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 | 3-6 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Habitats partagés
Aucun(e)
African Pygmy-goose only
White-headed Steamerduck 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.
White-headed Steamerduck
Rocky coastal shores, sea channels, and sheltered bays along the Patagonian coast of Chubut Province, Argentina. Flightless; strictly coastal. Nests on rocky headlands. Very limited geographic range.
Song & Call Comparison
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.
White-headed Steamerduck
A deep, rattling call from Patagonian coastal habitat. VU status; calls similar to Magellanic Steamerduck but possibly subtly distinct. Vocalizations in wild remain understudied.
Geographic Range & Migration
African Pygmy-goose
Breeds across temperate to sub-Arctic Eurasia; winters in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
White-headed Steamerduck
Statut de conservation
African Pygmy-goose
White-headed Steamerduck
How to Tell Them Apart
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.
White-headed Steamerduck
Flightless. Males have white head and neck contrasting with dark gray-brown body; orange bill. Females brown with white facial markings and less contrasting head. Restricted to Chubut, Argentina coast.
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.
White-headed Steamerduck
A large flightless steamerduck with grey body and an entirely white head in males, found only along the Patagonian coast of Chubut Province, Argentina. One of the rarest ducks in South America; range extends for only about 400 km of coastline.