African Pygmy-goose vs South African Shelduck
Nettapus auritus 对比 Tadorna cana
Side-by-Side Comparison
| 属性 | African Pygmy-goose | South African Shelduck |
|---|---|---|
| 学名 | Nettapus auritus | Tadorna cana |
| 目 | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| 科 | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| 保护状况 | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| 体长 | — | — |
| 翼展 | 29.9 cm (11.8 in) | 69.0 cm (27.2 in) |
| 体重 | 272.5 g (9.61 oz) | 1323.6666666666667 g (46.69 oz) |
| 食性 | Filter-feeds on invertebrates and seeds; dabbles in shallow ponds; diet more plant-based outside spring breeding … | Eats seeds, aquatic plants, and invertebrates; dabbles in shallow water; diet more invertebrate-heavy in breeding … |
| 产卵数 | 6-12 | 4-11 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
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.
South African Shelduck
Inland freshwater and saline lakes, pans, dams, and rivers across southern Africa, primarily on the South African plateau, Lesotho, and Namibia. Nests in burrows dug by aardvark. Highly terrestrial for a shelduck.
Song & Call Comparison
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.
South African Shelduck
Male gives a whistled 'wheeu'; female gives a harsh, descending cackle. Calls from South African wetlands and vleis. Sexual dimorphism in call is strong.
Geographic Range & Migration
African Pygmy-goose
Breeds across temperate to sub-Arctic Eurasia; winters in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
South African Shelduck
Breeds in subarctic Eurasia and winters in sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and Southeast Asia.
保护状况
African Pygmy-goose
South African Shelduck
How to Tell Them Apart
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.
South African Shelduck
Males have gray head and neck; rufous-brown body with white wing coverts and green speculum. Females similar but with white facial markings around bill and eye. Body rich rufous-chestnut. Endemic …
About These Birds
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.
South African Shelduck
南非麻鸭（开普麻鸭）是非洲南部的麻鸭，主要分布于南非和纳米比亚。雌鸟头部白色（与其他麻鸭区别明显），雄鸟头部灰色，体羽棕褐色，翼镜绿色。栖息于内陆湖泊、水库和盐碱地，以草地植物、草叶和无脊椎动物为食。常在地穴（如土豚或猎獾挖掘的洞穴）中营巢。