African Penguin vs Mallard
Spheniscus demersus 对比 Anas platyrhynchos
Side-by-Side Comparison
| 属性 | African Penguin | Mallard |
|---|---|---|
| 学名 | Spheniscus demersus | Anas platyrhynchos |
| 目 | Sphenisciformes | Anseriformes |
| 科 | Spheniscidae | Anatidae |
| 保护状况 | Endangered | Least Concern |
| 体长 | 60.0 cm (23.6 in) | 58.0 cm (22.8 in) |
| 翼展 | 42.0 cm (16.5 in) | 90.0 cm (35.4 in) |
| 体重 | 3100.0 g (109.35 oz) | 1100.0 g (38.80 oz) |
| 食性 | Small schooling fish, especially sardines and anchovies. Forages within 40 km of the colony, diving … | Omnivorous — aquatic plants, seeds, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Feeds by dabbling, upending, and grazing … |
| 产卵数 | 2 | 4-18 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
African Penguin
Rocky coastlines and offshore islands of southern Africa. Nests in burrows, under boulders, or in surface scrapes.
Mallard
Nearly any wetland habitat including lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, estuaries, and urban park ponds.
Song & Call Comparison
African Penguin
A loud, donkey-like braying 'waaah-waaah' — hence its nickname 'jackass penguin'. Also gives softer grunts and contact calls at the colony. Highly vocal on breeding beaches.
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
African Penguin
Coastal southwestern Africa from Namibia to Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The only penguin species breeding in Africa.
Mallard
Native across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Introduced to Australia and New Zealand.
保护状况
African Penguin
Mallard
How to Tell Them Apart
African Penguin
Black upperparts and white underparts with a distinctive black horseshoe-shaped band across the breast. Pink patches of bare skin above the eyes help with thermoregulation.
Sturdy, pointed, black bill with a grey band near the tip
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
African Penguin
非洲企鹅（学名Spheniscus demersus）是非洲大陆唯一原生的企鹅物种，又称公驴企鹅，因发出类似驴叫的叫声而得名。体重2-3千克，体长60-70厘米。濒危物种（IUCN红色名录），种群数量持续下降，主要受过度捕捞、石油污染和气候变化威胁。繁殖于南非和纳米比亚沿海岛屿。
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.