Mute Swan vs African Pygmy-goose
Cygnus olor comparado com Nettapus auritus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Atributo | Mute Swan | African Pygmy-goose |
|---|---|---|
| Nome científico | Cygnus olor | Nettapus auritus |
| Ordem | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Família | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Estado de conservação | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Comprimento | 152,0 cm (59.8 in) | — |
| Envergadura | 235,0 cm (92.5 in) | 29,9 cm (11.8 in) |
| Peso | 11000,0 g (388.01 oz) | 272,5 g (9.61 oz) |
| Dieta | Submerged aquatic vegetation, algae, and grass. Feeds by upending in shallow water, reaching depths of … | Filter-feeds on invertebrates and seeds; dabbles in shallow ponds; diet more plant-based outside spring breeding … |
| Tamanho da postura | 5-7 | 6-12 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Mute Swan
Lakes, slow rivers, estuaries, and coastal lagoons. Often associated with parks and ornamental waters in Europe.
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.
Song & Call Comparison
Mute Swan
Despite its name, not truly mute: gives hissing snorts and low grunting when threatened. Wings produce a loud rhythmic whistling throbbing sound in flight.
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.
Geographic Range & Migration
Mute Swan
Native to Europe and western Asia. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
African Pygmy-goose
Breeds across temperate to sub-Arctic Eurasia; winters in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Estado de conservação
Mute Swan
African Pygmy-goose
How to Tell Them Apart
Mute Swan
All-white plumage in adults. Cygnets are grey-brown, gradually whitening over the first year. Graceful S-curved neck posture is distinctive.
Orange bill with a prominent black knob at the base, larger in males
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.
About These Birds
Mute Swan
The mute swan is one of the heaviest flying birds, with males weighing up to 14 kg. Despite its name, it is not truly mute, producing hissing, grunting, and snorting sounds. Mute swans form lifelong pair bonds and their aggressive defense of nesting territory is well known.
African Pygmy-goose
O pato-pigmeu-africano é o menor pato africano e um dos menores da família dos anátidos. É encontrado em zonas húmidas tropicais de África subsariana. Os machos têm plumagem brilhante verde-escuro iridescente no dorso com flancos castanhos avermelhados e remendos brancos nas asas. Habita lagos, pântanos e áreas com vegetação aquática flutuante. Nidifica em ocos de árvore perto da água. A sua distribuição está ligada à presença de plantas aquáticas específicas.