Bird Guide

Eastern Spot-billed Duck vs Yellow-billed Duck

Eastern Spot-billed Duck (Anas zonorhyncha)

Eastern Spot-billed Duck

Anas zonorhyncha

Large1.2 kgWetland

This duck is around the same size as a mallard and has a scaly patterned body with a blue speculum. At rest the long neck and the bill with the yellow tip are distinctive. It measures 55–63 cm (22–25 in) in length and 83–95 cm (33–37 in) across the wings, with a body mass of 790–1,500 g (1.74–3.31 lb). These are mainly grey ducks with a paler head and neck and a black bill tipped bright yellow. The wings are whitish with black flight feathers below, and from above show a white-bordered green. The male does not have an eclipse plumage. Juveniles are browner and duller than adults.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: renshuchu · CC0
Yellow-billed Duck (Anas undulata)

Yellow-billed Duck

Anas undulata

Large1.0 kgWetland

These are mallard-sized mainly grey ducks with a darker head and bright yellow bill. The wings are whitish below, and from above show a white-bordered green speculum. Sexes are similar, and juveniles are slightly duller than adults. The north-eastern race is darker and has a brighter bill and blue speculum. It is a bird of freshwater habitats in fairly open country and feeds by dabbling for plant food mainly in the evening or at night. It nests on the ground in dense vegetation near water. Rarely, it is found in suburban areas, in close proximity to golf courses, parks and lakes or dams.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Simon J. Tonge · CC BY 3.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Eastern Spot-billed Duck and Yellow-billed Duck.