What is the difference between the African Pygmy Goose and the Green Pygmy Goose?

The African Pygmy Goose (Nettapus auritus) and the Green Pygmy Goose (Nettapus pulchellus) are both perching ducks, because they have the feet and body of a duck, but the beak of a goose.

The African Pygmy Goose is from sub-Saharan Africa and the Green Pygmy Goose is from northern Australia and Papua New Guinea.

The African Pygmy Goose has a white face with black eye patches and light green ear patches. The Green Pygmy Goose has white cheeks.

African Pygmy Goose (left) and Green Pygmy Goose (right)

The African Pygmy Goose has a yellow beak with a black tip, and the Green Pygmy Goose has a pink and black beak.

African Pygmy Goose

Green Pygmy Goose

Green Pygmy Goose

African Pygmy Goose

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM