There are several birds that resemble ducks in appearance but are not actually ducks. Some common examples include geese, swans, and coots. While ducks belong to the family Anatidae, these duck-like birds belong to different families. However, they share similar physical traits that can cause confusion, such as webbed feet, broad bills, and aquatic lifestyles. In this article, we will discuss the characteristics and behaviors of several duck-like birds and explain how to tell them apart from true ducks. Properly identifying these birds requires paying close attention to details of size, shape, coloration, and behavior.
Geese
One of the most common birds mistaken for ducks are geese. Geese belong to the family Anatidae like ducks, but are found in a different tribe, Anserini. There are several physical attributes and behaviors that set geese apart from ducks.
| Trait | Geese | Ducks |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Larger on average | Smaller on average |
| Neck | Longer | Shorter |
| Bill | Stouter, less spoon-shaped | More slender, spoon-shaped |
| Plumage | Feathers more coarse and dense | Softer, more loose plumage |
| Voice | Loud honking calls | Diverse quacking and whistling calls |
| Behavior | Walk more; high flying in V formation | Swim/dive more; fly low in scattered flocks |
As you can see, geese tend to be larger, with longer necks, more coarse feathers, and a distinctive honking call. Their v-shaped flying formation is also characteristic. Size can vary by species, but on average geese are 25-43 inches long with wingspans of 59-80 inches, compared to most ducks which are 15-25 inches long with wingspans of 26-29 inches. Behaviorally, geese spend more time walking and flying, while ducks spend more time swimming and diving.
Some of the most common geese species include:
– Canada Goose – Recognizable for black head and neck with white cheek patches. Common in North America.
– Snow Goose – White with dark wingtips and pink bill. Found in wetlands across North America.
– Greylag Goose – Large with gray body, pink bill, and black head. Common in Europe and Asia.
– Egyptian Goose – Buff-brown overall with dark eye patches. Found in Africa.
So next time you see a large waterbird waddling on land or flying in a V and honking loudly overhead, it’s likely a goose and not a duck. Look for the long neck, large body size, and coarse plumage to distinguish it from a duck.
Swans
Swans are another type of waterfowl that are often confused with ducks due to their water-loving lifestyle and webbed feet. However, swans belong to a different family than ducks, Anatidae. Swans are much larger than ducks, with longer necks, large webbed feet, and short tails. Some key differences include:
| Trait | Swans | Ducks |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Much larger | Smaller |
| Neck | Very long, S-curved | Shorter |
| Bill | All black | Various colors |
| Plumage | All white or white & black | More colorful |
| Legs/feet | Very large, all black | Smaller, orange/grey |
Swans range from 47-59 inches long, with wingspans between 70-117 inches, compared to the smaller duck sizes mentioned earlier. Their long, curved necks are distinctive when swimming and flying. Swans also hold their necks higher above the water when swimming and fly with their necks outstretched, compared to ducks which swim and fly with their necks more tucked in. Vocalizations are limited to simple grunts and whistles, lacking the diversity of duck calls.
Here are some common swan species to look for:
– Mute Swan – Pure white plumage, orange bill with black base. Introduced to North America from Europe.
– Trumpeter Swan – All white with black bill. Largest native North American waterfowl.
– Tundra Swan – Pure white with black bill and lores (eye area). Common winter migrant across North America.
– Black Swan – Black plumage with white flight feathers. Native to Australia.
The large size, uniformly white plumage, and long S-curved neck are reliable ways to identify swans and distinguish them from smaller, more colorful ducks. Watch neck position and listen for simple vocalizations to confirm a swan sighting.
Coots
Coots belong to the family Rallidae and are most closely related to Gallinules and Moorhens within the rail family. While they are not ducks, coots share some similar adaptations for an aquatic lifestyle including webbed lobed feet and a short frontal shield on the forehead. However, coots have some clear distinguishing features:
| Trait | Coots | Ducks |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 12-15 in. long | 15-25 in. long |
| Bill | Short, white frontal shield | No shield, various colors |
| Plumage | Dark with white undertail | Usually brightly colored |
| Feet | Lobed with scalloped edges | Full webbed |
Coots are dark slaty-gray to blackish overall, with a distinctive white beak and frontal shield. The underside of the tail is also white, readily visible when swimming and flying. The feet have lobes with slight scalloping rather than full webbing. While similar sized, coots appear more slender than the plump, full-bodies ducks. Behaviorally, coots walk well on land and can be found grazing on shorelines and grassy areas.
Some coot species include:
– American Coot – Dark body, white bill/shield. Common across North America.
– Eurasian Coot – Same markings but with white facial area. Found across Europe/Asia.
– Australian Coot – Dark gray with red-based white bill. Native to Australia/New Zealand.
So while coots share some characteristics of ducks, their behavior and distinctive markings are reliable ways to distinguish them. Remember the white bill shield, scalloped feet, graceful walking ability, and slender profile to properly identify coots.
Conclusion
While geese, swans, and coots may resemble ducks at first glance, each species has distinctive size, plumage, vocal, and behavioral traits that allow them to be properly identified. Key differences to look for include:
| Trait | Geese | Swans | Coots |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Large | Very large | Medium |
| Neck | Long | Very long | Short |
| Plumage | Coarse | All white | Dark with white undertail |
| Vocalizations | Honking | Grunts, whistles | Cackling calls |
| Behavior | Graze, fly in V’s | Long curved neck | Slender, walk well on land |
Geese tend to be bigger with long necks, swans are the largest with S-curved necks, while coots are more slender with short necks and dark plumage with white undertails. Taking note of these distinguishing characteristics will help any birder correctly identify birds that resemble ducks at first glance. With good views and a little practice, geese, swans, and coots can be readily told apart from true duck species. The ability to make proper identifications improves with time spent observing these waterbirds in their natural wetland habitats.
