Bird Guide

Coscoroba Swan vs Musk Duck

Coscoroba Swan (Coscoroba coscoroba)

Coscoroba Swan

Coscoroba coscoroba

Huge4.3 kgWetland

The coscoroba swan is a medium-large sized waterfowl, but smaller than the true swans, at 90 to 115 cm (35 to 45 in) long with a wingspan of about 155 cm (61 in). Males weigh 3.8 to 5.4 kg (8.4 to 12 lb) and females 3.1 to 4.5 kg (6.8 to 9.9 lb). Their appearance is considered to be slightly strange, being intermediate between that of geese and true swans. They have completely feathered faces—unusual for true swans—and their feet are located directly under their bodies, enabling the coscoroba swan to walk more efficiently than the "waddling" of most waterfowl. Voice: The coscoroba swan makes an onomatopoeic "cos-cor-oo", usually as a threat to intruders. They also make a "monosyllabic hooting note" as a contact call between mates. Immature birds make "loud chirps and trills".

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Wilfredor · CC0
Musk Duck (Biziura lobata)

Musk Duck

Biziura lobata

Huge1.9 kgWetland

Adult males are 60 to 70 cm (24 to 28 in) long and have a distinctive large, leathery lobe underneath the bill; females are 47 to 55 cm (19 to 22 in) long and unadorned. Their drab dark grey-brown, slightly pin-striped plumage is inconspicuous and does not differ between the sexes. This species weighs an average of 2,398 g (5.287 lb) in males and 1,551 g (3.419 lb) in females, with the smallest females weighing only 993 g (2.189 lb) and the largest males weighing up to 3,170 g (6.99 lb).

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Musk Duck
Recorded by Rob Nicholson · Lake Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia · CC BY 4.0
Photo: Ed Dunens · CC BY 2.0

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