African Pygmy-goose vs White-backed Duck
Nettapus auritus 对比 Thalassornis leuconotus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| 属性 | African Pygmy-goose | White-backed Duck |
|---|---|---|
| 学名 | Nettapus auritus | Thalassornis leuconotus |
| 目 | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| 科 | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| 保护状况 | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| 体长 | — | — |
| 翼展 | 29.9 cm (11.8 in) | 33.3 cm (13.1 in) |
| 体重 | 272.5 g (9.61 oz) | 704.6666666666666 g (24.86 oz) |
| 食性 | Filter-feeds on invertebrates and seeds; dabbles in shallow ponds; diet more plant-based outside spring breeding … | Eats aquatic plants, grasses, and seeds; large tropical swan grazing on lake margins and floating … |
| 产卵数 | 6-12 | 4-10 |
| 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.
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
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.
White-backed Duck
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
African Pygmy-goose
Breeds across temperate to sub-Arctic Eurasia; winters in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
White-backed Duck
Breeds in subarctic Canada; winters along the Atlantic coast from New England to Florida and on the Gulf Coast.
保护状况
African Pygmy-goose
White-backed Duck
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.
White-backed Duck
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
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.
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。