Open grasslands, savanna woodlands, scrublands, and semi-arid plains across Australia. Avoids dense forest and true desert.
Mallard
Nearly any wetland habitat including lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, estuaries, and urban park ponds.
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Song & Call Comparison
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Song & Call Comparison
Emu
さえずり
Deep, resonant booming grunt 'e-moo', often repeated 3 times. Females give a deep drumming call produced by an inflatable throat pouch. Generally low-pitched and far-carrying.
Mallard
さえずり
Female gives the classic 'quack-quack-quack', descending in pitch. Male utters soft nasal 'raeb-raeb'. Both give a high 'gag-gag-gag' when alarmed or taking flight.
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Geographic Range & Migration
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Geographic Range & Migration
Emu
Throughout mainland Australia. Absent from Tasmania, where the Tasmanian emu was driven to extinction by 1850.
Mallard
Native across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Introduced to Australia and New Zealand.
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Conservation Status Comparison
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保全状況
Least Concern
Emu
Least Concern
Mallard
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Identification Tips — How to Tell Them Apart
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How to Tell Them Apart
Emu
羽毛
Shaggy grey-brown plumage with double-shafted feathers giving a loose, hair-like appearance. Bare blue skin on the face and neck.
くちばし
Broad, flat, dark grey bill
Mallard
羽毛
Breeding males have an iridescent green head, white neck ring, chestnut breast, and grey body. Females are mottled brown. Both sexes show a blue speculum bordered by white.
くちばし
Broad, flat bill — yellow-green in males, orange-brown in females
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About Each Bird (Descriptions)
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More Birds in Family
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