Ashy-headed Goose vs Kelp Goose

Ashy-headed Goose

Chloephaga poliocephala

Huge2.0 kgGrassland

The ashy-headed goose is 50 to 60 cm (20 to 24 in) long. Males weigh 1.62 to 2.27 kg (3.6 to 5.0 lb) and females 1.47 to 1.49 kg (3.2 to 3.3 lb). Adults have the same plumage. Their heads and necks are gray, their upper back and breast chestnut with fine barring, their flanks barred black and white, and their belly white. In flight their blackish wings show bold white leading and trailing patches and a metallic green speculum. Their bill is black and the legs and feet orange with black markings. Voice: Male and female ashy-headed geese have different vocalizations: Males make "soft, wigeon-like whistles" and females "harsh cackling notes".

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Alex Proimos from Sydney, Australia · CC BY 2.0

Kelp Goose

Chloephaga hybrida

Huge2.3 kgMarine

The kelp goose is 55 to 65 cm (22 to 26 in) long. Males of the nominate subspecies weigh 2.54 to 2.58 kg (5.6 to 5.7 lb) and females 2.00 to 2.02 kg (4.4 to 4.5 lb). Subspecies C. h. malvinarum is heavier: Males weigh 3.25 to 3.60 kg (7.2 to 7.9 lb) and females 2.05 to 2.80 kg (4.5 to 6.2 lb). The two subspecies have the same plumage but the sexes are completely different. Adult males are entirely white but for a black bill with a pink spot on the maxilla and yellow legs and feet. Adult females have a pale brown crown and chocolate brown head, neck, and mantle. Voice: Male and female kelp geese have different vocalizations: Males make a "whistled 'si-si-si'" and females "low honking 'arnk-arnk', 'ooer' or 'ooeroo' calls". Very young chicks make "a double-noted 'cheep'."

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Kelpgoosealpha.jpg: Ealdgyth derivative work: Berichard (talk) · CC BY 3.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Ashy-headed Goose and Kelp Goose.