Greater White-fronted Goose vs White-backed Duck

Anser albifrons comparé à Thalassornis leuconotus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut Greater White-fronted Goose White-backed Duck
Nom scientifique Anser albifrons Thalassornis leuconotus
Ordre Anseriformes Anseriformes
Famille Anatidae Anatidae
Statut de conservation Least Concern Least Concern
Longueur
Envergure 81,6 cm (32.1 in) 33,3 cm (13.1 in)
Poids 2471,0 g (87.16 oz) 704,6666666666666 g (24.86 oz)
Régime alimentaire Dabbles for aquatic invertebrates, seeds, and plant material; diet shifts heavily toward invertebrates in breeding … --
Taille de la couvée 3-9 4-10
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

Greater White-fronted Goose only

White-backed Duck only

Aucun(e)

Greater White-fronted Goose

Breeds on Arctic and subarctic tundra and peatlands. Winters on estuaries, agricultural fields, freshwater marshes, and flooded meadows across Europe, Asia, and North America. One of the most widespread geese.

White-backed Duck

Freshwater lakes, ponds, and swamps with abundant floating aquatic vegetation, especially water lilies, in sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. Prefers shallow sheltered water with emergent vegetation for cover.

Song & Call Comparison

Greater White-fronted Goose

Chant

A loud, laughing 'kow-lyuk' or musical 'wah-wah'. Gives a distinctive high-pitched yodeling quality lacking in Greylag. Highly vocal in large winter flocks.

White-backed Duck

Chant

Soft, low whistles and hissing sounds. The White-backed Duck is relatively quiet compared to whistling-ducks. Alarm call is a low 'peep'. Mostly heard at night.

Geographic Range & Migration

Greater White-fronted Goose

Breeds in the potholes region of the northern Great Plains; winters in the southern United States and along the Gulf Coast.

White-backed Duck

Statut de conservation

Least Concern

Greater White-fronted Goose

Least Concern

White-backed Duck

How to Tell Them Apart

Greater White-fronted Goose

Plumage

Brown-gray body with white forehead patch bordered by white band at bill base. Underparts with bold irregular black bars on belly. Orange bill; orange-yellow legs. Juveniles lack white front and …

White-backed Duck

Plumage

Heavily mottled and barred brown and buff overall. Diagnostic white back patch visible in flight. Head brown with whitish face and chin. Stiff tail held erect. Sexes similar; stiff-tail diving …

About These Birds

Greater White-fronted Goose

A medium-large goose with a white forehead patch, orange bill, grey-brown plumage, and variable black barring on the belly. Widespread and numerous; one of the most abundant geese in the world. Breeds across the high Arctic; winters in a wide range of temperate wetland and agricultural habitats.

White-backed Duck

A small compact brown-barred diving duck with a distinctive white back visible in flight and a large dark-blotched bill. Shy and easily overlooked among floating aquatic vegetation. An expert diver, feeding on water-lily seeds and tubers in African freshwater wetlands.

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