Mauritius Shelduck vs African Pygmy-goose
Alopochen mauritiana 对比 Nettapus auritus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| 属性 | Mauritius Shelduck | African Pygmy-goose |
|---|---|---|
| 学名 | Alopochen mauritiana | Nettapus auritus |
| 目 | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| 科 | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| 保护状况 | Extinct | Least Concern |
| 体长 | — | — |
| 翼展 | — | 29.9 cm (11.8 in) |
| 体重 | — | 272.5 g (9.61 oz) |
| 食性 | Extinct Mauritius shelduck; likely grazed on grasses and aquatic plants near wetlands; diet inferred from … | Filter-feeds on invertebrates and seeds; dabbles in shallow ponds; diet more plant-based outside spring breeding … |
| 产卵数 | -- | 6-12 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Mauritius Shelduck
Historically inhabited wetlands, rivers, and lowland areas of Mauritius. Now extinct; last records from the early colonial period.
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
Mauritius Shelduck
Extinct (EX); no vocalizations documented. The Mauritius Shelduck was last seen in the 1690s. Any description would be speculative given total absence of written records.
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
Mauritius Shelduck
Formerly endemic to Mauritius, Indian Ocean. Extinct; known only from 17th-century accounts and subfossil bones found on the island.
African Pygmy-goose
Breeds across temperate to sub-Arctic Eurasia; winters in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
保护状况
Mauritius Shelduck
African Pygmy-goose
How to Tell Them Apart
Mauritius Shelduck
Extinct Mascarene shelduck known only from fossil and subfossil remains. Likely brownish plumage similar to Egyptian Goose relatives; presumed sexual dimorphism. Extinct by late 17th century.
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
Mauritius Shelduck
毛里求斯麻鸭（Alopochen mauritiana）是一种曾特产于毛里求斯的已灭绝麻鸭。属鸭科（Anatidae），仅凭亚化石骨骼和历史记录得知，与留尼汪麻鸭同为印度洋岛屿上人类活动导致灭绝的水禽。
African Pygmy-goose
A tiny jewel-like duck—one of Africa's smallest waterfowl. Males have iridescent green-and-white plumage, an orange bill, and a dark green cap; females are mottled brown. Found on lily-covered lakes in sub-Saharan Africa. Perches on water lily pads and feeds on their seeds and flowers.