Kelp Goose vs White-backed Duck

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

White-backed Duck

Thalassornis leuconotus

Large698 gWetland

These birds are well adapted for diving. On occasions they have been observed to stay under water for up to half a minute. They search especially for the bulbs of waterlilies, but also seeds and leaves of waterlilies and other water plants and the young feed on lake flies larvae as well. From danger, they also escape preferentially by diving; hence, the namesake white back is hardly visible in life.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: (c) Todd Boland, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Todd Boland · cc-by

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Kelp Goose and White-backed Duck.