Mallard vs Red-breasted Merganser

Anas platyrhynchos 对比 Mergus serrator

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Side-by-Side Comparison

属性 Mallard Red-breasted Merganser
学名 Anas platyrhynchos Mergus serrator
Anseriformes Anseriformes
Anatidae Anatidae
保护状况 Least Concern Least Concern
体长 58.0 cm (22.8 in)
翼展 90.0 cm (35.4 in) 46.7 cm (18.4 in)
体重 1100.0 g (38.80 oz) 1058.3333333333333 g (37.33 oz)
食性 Omnivorous — aquatic plants, seeds, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Feeds by dabbling, upending, and grazing … Dives for small fish, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates in coastal and freshwater habitats. Pursues fish …
产卵数 4-18 6-14
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
Mallard 58.0 cm
Red-breasted Merganser
翼展
Mallard 90.0 cm
Red-breasted Merganser 46.7 cm
体重
Mallard 1100.0 g
Red-breasted Merganser 1058.3333333333333 g
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Habitat Comparison

共同栖息地

Mallard only

Red-breasted Merganser only

Mallard

Nearly any wetland habitat including lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, estuaries, and urban park ponds.

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Song & Call Comparison

Mallard

鸣唱

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.

Red-breasted Merganser

鸣唱

Male produces a harsh, rasping series of notes; female gives a rough, guttural grunting. The harsh, rattling call is louder than Goosander; pairs and flocks create a rasping coastal cacophony.

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Geographic Range & Migration

Mallard

Native across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Introduced to Australia and New Zealand.

Red-breasted Merganser

Circumpolar breeder in boreal and Arctic zones. Winters on coasts and large water bodies south to the Mediterranean and southern Asia.

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保护状况

Least Concern

Mallard

Least Concern

Red-breasted Merganser

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How to Tell Them Apart

Mallard

羽毛

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

Red-breasted Merganser

羽毛

Male has dark green shaggy double crest, speckled chestnut breast band, white collar, and grey flanks; red bill. Female has rufous-brown head with ragged crest blending gradually into grey neck …

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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.

Red-breasted Merganser

红胸秋沙鸭以雄鸟胸部栗红色鳞状斑纹为特征,嘴橙红色,头部深绿色有冠羽。广泛繁殖于欧亚和北美北部,越冬于温带沿海海湾和内陆水域。在地面或岩缝中营巢,以鱼类为主食,善于合作围捕鱼群。常在沿海越冬,是三种秋沙鸭中最耐盐水的。

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