Andean Goose vs Steller's Eider

Andean Goose

Chloephaga melanoptera

Huge2.0 kgWetland

The Andean goose is 70 to 76 cm (28 to 30 in) long and weighs 2.73 and 3.64 kg (6.0 and 8.0 lb). Both sexes have the same plumage. Adults' heads and bodies are white. Some scapulars have sooty centers and others are dark brown, giving a striped appearance to the shoulders. The wing's primaries and the tail are black with a greenish gloss. Their bill is coral red with a black nail and the legs and feet are light red. Downy young are mostly white with some blackish spots and streaks. Older immatures are similar to adults but duller. Voice: The Andean goose is very vocal, and males and females have very different voices. Males make "a "soft huit-wit-wit..., crip, quiop, low, grunting kwwwwwu..., single-syllable threat whistle, and double-syllable sexual calls." Females make a louder "somewhat grating kwa-kwak and "a hoarse gack-gack".

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Greg Schechter from San Francisco, USA · CC BY 2.0

Steller's Eider

Polysticta stelleri

Large807 gMarine

Steller's eider is the smallest of the four eiders, with both females and males weighing 860 g (30 oz) on average. They have a compact body with a relatively large head with a flat crown and an angled nape, and a long, thick bill; the tail is relatively longer than other eiders. The males assume their breeding plumage from early winter to midsummer with a black cap, chin, collar, eye-ring, and rump, with a white head and shoulders, light green patches behind the head and in front of the eye, and the cinnamon breast and shoulders marked with a prominent black spot.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Venke Ivarrud · CC BY 4.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Andean Goose and Steller's Eider.