Mallard vs White-backed Duck

Anas platyrhynchos 对比 Thalassornis leuconotus

Side-by-Side Comparison

属性 Mallard White-backed Duck
学名 Anas platyrhynchos Thalassornis leuconotus
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) 33.3 cm (13.1 in)
体重 1100.0 g (38.80 oz) 704.6666666666666 g (24.86 oz)
食性 Omnivorous — aquatic plants, seeds, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Feeds by dabbling, upending, and grazing … --
产卵数 4-18 4-10
Population Trend

Size Comparison

Body Length
Mallard 58.0 cm
White-backed Duck
翼展
Mallard 90.0 cm
White-backed Duck 33.3 cm
体重
Mallard 1100.0 g
White-backed Duck 704.6666666666666 g

Habitat Comparison

共同栖息地

Mallard only

White-backed Duck only

Mallard

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

White-backed Duck

Freshwater lakes, ponds, and swamps with abundant floating aquatic vegetation, especially water lilies, in sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. Prefers shallow sheltered water with emergent vegetation for cover.

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.

White-backed Duck

鸣唱

Soft, low whistles and hissing sounds. The White-backed Duck is relatively quiet compared to whistling-ducks. Alarm call is a low 'peep'. Mostly heard at night.

Geographic Range & Migration

Mallard

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

White-backed Duck

保护状况

Least Concern

Mallard

Least Concern

White-backed Duck

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

White-backed Duck

羽毛

Heavily mottled and barred brown and buff overall. Diagnostic white back patch visible in flight. Head brown with whitish face and chin. Stiff tail held erect. Sexes similar; stiff-tail diving …

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.

White-backed Duck

白背硬尾鸭是非洲唯一的硬尾鸭,主要分布于撒哈拉以南非洲的湖泊和沼泽,以及马达加斯加。体型小,体羽以棕褐色为主,背部白色斑块在飞行时可见,尾羽刚硬。善深潜,主要以睡莲种子和其他水生植物为食。栖息于富有植被的淡水湿地,被列为近危物种。

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