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Birding/What is the difference between a duck & a goose?

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Expert: - 6/22/2005


Question
I recently visited Cleveland Ohio Zoo where I saw a spurwinged goose. The sign said this was not really a goose but a large duck.  How can you tell a duck from a goose?  Many thanks.

Answer
A goose has a longer neck than a duck. The males and females have the same coloration and markings; male and female ducks of the same species are different. Geese are grazers on land,mostly, and ducks almost exclusives feed in the water. Roger Lederer. For more information on wild birds, see www.ornithology.com

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Roger Lederer

Expertise

Any and all about WILD birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.

Experience

Have a PhD and over forty years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, three bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 90 countries watching birds.

Education/Credentials
PhD in Zoology/Ornithology; Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences; former Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico

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