Blue Duck vs Mallard
Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos comparado com Anas platyrhynchos
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Atributo | Blue Duck | Mallard |
|---|---|---|
| Nome científico | Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos | Anas platyrhynchos |
| Ordem | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Família | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Estado de conservação | Endangered | Least Concern |
| Comprimento | — | 58,0 cm (22.8 in) |
| Envergadura | 45,6 cm (18.0 in) | 90,0 cm (35.4 in) |
| Peso | 861,75 g (30.40 oz) | 1100,0 g (38.80 oz) |
| Dieta | Eats aquatic invertebrates, seeds, and plant material; dabbles in shallow fresh water; invertebrate diet peaks … | Omnivorous — aquatic plants, seeds, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Feeds by dabbling, upending, and grazing … |
| Tamanho da postura | 5-6 | 4-18 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Blue Duck
Fast-flowing clear turbulent mountain rivers and streams in pristine native forest at 300–1,500 m in both main islands of New Zealand. Requires undisturbed riparian habitat with abundant aquatic invertebrates.
Mallard
Nearly any wetland habitat including lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, estuaries, and urban park ponds.
Song & Call Comparison
Blue Duck
A soft, musical whistle from fast-flowing South Island rivers. Call is a clear 'whio' — giving the bird its Maori name. Also gives a soft, reedy 'squeak'. Endangered; rarely heard.
Mallard
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.
Geographic Range & Migration
Blue Duck
Breeds on open prairie wetlands of the Great Plains; winters in shallow estuaries and marshes along the Gulf of Mexico.
Mallard
Native across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Introduced to Australia and New Zealand.
Estado de conservação
Blue Duck
Mallard
How to Tell Them Apart
Blue Duck
Distinctive slate-blue-gray plumage; breast spotted with chestnut-brown in both sexes. Pale bill with flexible pink lobes at tip. Chestnut eye. Sexes similar; adapted to fast-flowing mountain streams in New Zealand.
Mallard
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.
Broad, flat bill — yellow-green in males, orange-brown in females
About These Birds
Blue Duck
O pato-azul da Nova Zelândia é um pato único e ameaçado encontrado em rios de montanha de correnteza rápida na Nova Zelândia. Tem plumagem cinzenta azulada com bico rosadinhas. Está altamente especializado para a vida em rios torrenciais de montanha. Alimenta-se de invertebrados aquáticos. As populações sofreram declínios severos devido a predadores introduzidos como furões, arminhões e ratos. Os esforços de conservação incluem programas de controlo de predadores e criação em cativeiro.
Mallard
The mallard is the ancestor of most domestic duck breeds and the most abundant and widespread dabbling duck in the world. Males perform elaborate courtship displays including head-bobbing and whistle-grunt calls. Mallards are highly adaptable, thriving in both wilderness and urban environments.