Mallard vs Australasian Shoveler
Anas platyrhynchos comparado com Spatula rhynchotis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Atributo | Mallard | Australasian Shoveler |
|---|---|---|
| Nome científico | Anas platyrhynchos | Spatula rhynchotis |
| Ordem | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Família | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Estado de conservação | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Comprimento | 58,0 cm (22.8 in) | — |
| Envergadura | 90,0 cm (35.4 in) | 44,8 cm (17.6 in) |
| Peso | 1100,0 g (38.80 oz) | 678,0 g (23.92 oz) |
| Dieta | Omnivorous — aquatic plants, seeds, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Feeds by dabbling, upending, and grazing … | Feeds on aquatic invertebrates, seeds, and plant material; dabbles in shallow freshwater; diet seasonally variable. |
| Tamanho da postura | 4-18 | 5-13 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Mallard
Nearly any wetland habitat including lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, estuaries, and urban park ponds.
Australasian Shoveler
Freshwater and brackish wetlands, lakes, and marshes across southern and eastern Australia and New Zealand. Nomadic in Australia; follows seasonal flooding. Often on permanent lakes and coastal lagoons.
Song & Call Comparison
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.
Australasian Shoveler
Male emits a soft, muffled tok; female gives a series of rapid, descending quacks. The female's characteristic quacking laugh is similar to the Northern Shoveler but slightly lower pitched.
Geographic Range & Migration
Mallard
Native across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Introduced to Australia and New Zealand.
Australasian Shoveler
Breeds in central Asia; winters mainly in South and Southeast Asia, with some birds reaching eastern Africa.
Estado de conservação
Mallard
Australasian Shoveler
How to Tell Them Apart
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
Australasian Shoveler
Males have slate-blue head with white crescent before eye; rich rufous-brown below with white breast spot. Blue forewing and green speculum. Females mottled brown. Long spatulate bill bluish-gray. Dimorphic.
About These Birds
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.
Australasian Shoveler
A medium-sized shoveler with the distinctive large bill. Males are brownish with blue-grey wing patches and white facial crescent; females are mottled brown. Found in Australia and New Zealand. Nomadic within Australia; follows seasonal inland flooding.