Difference between goose and duck
Main difference
Birds that live on or around water are called waterfowl. Additionally, they can be divided into groups such as seabirds, shorebirds, anseriforms, grebes, loons, and ciconiiformes, based on their distinctive characteristics and habitats. Anseriformes are divided into three families: Anhimidae (the screamers), Anseranatidae (the magpie goose), and Anatidae, which is the largest family with more than 10 species of waterfowl .Freshwater birds like Goose, Duck Swans are part of the Anatidae family. Freshwater birds are the birds that inhabit rivers, streams, lakes, and marshes, rather than the ocean or sea. Geese and ducks that come from a similar family and have a similar habitat are often considered the same, although they are not, as they possess quite distinctive characteristics and have a different physical appearance. In terms of appearance, ducks are more robust and geese are longer. Geese are primarily herbivores, preferring to eat bushes and grasses, while ducks eat insects, fish, and even amphibians.
Comparative chart
goose | Duck | |
Physical appearance | Geese are longer. | Ducks are more robust. |
Feeding Habits | Geese are primarily herbivores, preferring to eat bushes and grasses. | Ducks eat insects, fish, and even amphibians. |
Sounds | The goose makes a horn or flame sound. | Duck produces a ‘quack’ sound. |
Mobility | Geese are “migratory birds” (Canada goose). | Ducks generally did not migrate, preferring to stay within the specific area. |
What is Goose?
Geese come from the order Anseriformes, which includes all kinds of waterfowl. Swans and geese are considered the largest waterfowl. The characteristics that made them distinctive within their counterparts are long necks and non-iridescent coloration. Geese are divided into two main genera: Anser geese and Branta geese. The prominent species belonging to Anser Geese are Bar-Headed, Bean, Emperor, Greylag, Pink-Footed, Ross’, Snow, Swan Goose, and White-Fronted. on the other hand, the main species belonging to the Branta geese are Barnacle, Brant, Canada, Nene or Hawaiian and Red-Breasted. A baby goose is called a gosling. The average life expectancy for geese is around 25 years.
Ducks belong to the order Anseriformes from geese. Ducks are sturdier and smaller than geese and many of the other birds in the similar group. Ducks are even capable of swimming in extremely cold water as they lack nerves and blood vessels in their legs. Ducks generally did not migrate, preferring to stay within the specific area. They have a calm nature and are widely domesticated in Asia. The duck’s ‘Quack’ sound is relatively less annoying than that of other counterpart birds. They are also quite popular in recent times, as dozens of cartoons featured them. Example: Donald Duck is one of the most famous cartoon characters.
Goose vs. Duck
- In terms of appearance, ducks are more robust and geese are longer.
- Geese are primarily herbivores, preferring to eat bushes and grasses, while ducks eat insects, fish, and even amphibians.
- The goose makes a horn or flame sound, while the duck makes a “squawk” sound.
- Geese are “migratory birds” (Canada goose), while ducks do not usually migrate, preferring to stay within the specific area.