Bird Guide

Black Swan vs Muscovy Duck

Black Swan (Cygnus atratus)

Black Swan

Cygnus atratus

Huge5.6 kgWetland

Black swans are black-feathered birds, with white flight feathers. The bill is bright red, with a pale bar and tip; and legs and feet are greyish-black. Cobs (males) are slightly larger than pens (females), with a longer and straighter bill. Cygnets (immature birds) are a greyish-brown with pale-edged feathers. Mature black swans measure between 110 and 142 centimetres (43 and 56 in) in length and weigh 3.7–9 kilograms (8.2–19.8 lb). Their wingspan is between 1.6 and 2 metres (5.2 and 6.6 ft). The neck is long (relatively the longest neck among the swans) and curved in an "S"-shape.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Sonothèque ADVL · CC0
Photo: Damien O'Donnell · CC BY 4.0
Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata)

Muscovy Duck

Cairina moschata

Huge2.4 kgWetland

It is a large duck, with the males significantly larger than the females. The males are 76–84 cm (30–33 in) long and weigh up to 3–4 kg (6.6–8.8 lb); females are 71–76 cm (28–30 in) long and 1.25 kg (2.8 lb) weight, roughly half the weight of the males. The wingspan is from 137 to 152 cm (54 to 60 in). The plumage is predominantly black, with large white patches on the wing; the back and wing feathers being iridescent and glossy in males, while the females are more drab. Muscovy ducks have long claws on their feet and a wide, flat tail. On the head, the male has a short crest on the nape.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Alvesgaspar · CC BY 2.5

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Black Swan and Muscovy Duck.