Geese or ducks

Duck vs Goose: 5 Key Differences for These Birds!

Written by August Croft

Published: February 16, 2022

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While we can all recognize a duck vs goose, there are many differences between these two birds that you may not have thought about. While both belong to the same family of waterfowl known as Anatidae, these two types of birds live very different lives, especially depending on their individual breeds and ages. 

In this article, we will address some of the primary differences between ducks and geese, as well as some tips to help you tell them apart if you are unsure. We will also dive into detail regarding these birds and their diets and mating habits. Let’s get started now! 

Comparing Duck vs Goose

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The Main Differences Between Duck vs Goose

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There are many key differences between ducks vs geese to help you tell them apart. Geese are much larger in both length and weight when compared to ducks, and their necks are longer as well. Ducks have more colorful feathers when compared to geese, especially male ducks. Finally, a duck vs goose differ in their diet and lifespans, as geese live longer and are herbivores, while ducks live shorter lives overall and eat an omnivorous diet.

Let’s discuss all of these details in more detail now.

Duck vs Goose: Size and Weight

The main difference between ducks vs geese lies in their difference in size and weight. Geese are much larger than ducks, and they have elegant long necks compared to the average length of a duck’s neck.

The average duck, depending on species, weighs anywhere from 2-5 pounds, while geese weigh double that. Ducks often grow anywhere from 15 to 20 inches in length, while geese reach 30 to 50 inches, depending on the specific breed. This is a huge difference in size, and you can easily tell this when looking at a duck and goose side-by-side. 

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Duck vs Goose: Appearance

Another difference between ducks and geese can be found in their appearances. Besides their overall size differences, ducks tend to have much more colorful feathers when compared to geese. While it will always depend on the specific breed, the majority of ducks, especially male ducks, have brightly colored feathers and intricate patterns. Geese tend to be more muted in color as well as pattern. 

Ducks also have wider and longer bills when compared to geese, and this is likely due to their dietary differences. Geese have bills that are equally strong, but they are usually significantly shorter in length when compared to duck bills. 

©iStock.com/MikeLane45

Duck vs Goose: Diet

While it depends on the specific breed of duck or goose, these birds tend to have different diets. While ducks are known for their omnivorous diets, geese are primarily herbivores. Geese tend to eat plant matter, both in and out of the water, while ducks eat a wide variety of fish and crustaceans, depending on their breed and local environment. 

Duck vs Goose: Lifespan

Another key difference when it comes to duck vs goose lies in their lifespan. Geese have longer life spans than ducks overall, living an average of 8 to 12 years, while ducks live an average of 3 to 8 years total. This is a statistic based on wild ducks and geese, as captive waterfowl tend to live longer lives.

The reason that ducks likely have a much shorter life span than geese is due to their smaller size and less aggressive behavior. Many ducklings don’t reach a full year of living due to predation and inability to protect themselves. Geese tend to be more aggressive than ducks overall and are fierce protectors of their babies.  

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Duck vs Goose: Mating and Breeding Habits

A final difference between ducks vs geese is their mating and breeding habits. While both of these birds are largely considered monogamous, this definition is loosely based around their breeding times, year after year. Let’s talk about this in more detail now.

For example, geese are largely considered totally monogamous, committing to a partner for the duration of their lifespan. Ducks are different from the geese in this way in that they remain monogamous with a partner for a single breeding season, seeking out new partners the next year for breeding purposes. 

Many studies suggest that this monogamy is one of the reasons why geese are more aggressive than ducks around mating season. Male geese take equal parts in taking care of their young, not leaving everything up to the female goose. This is a surprising change of pace when compared to just about any other animal in the animal kingdom, but especially birds.

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The Featured Image

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About the Author

August Croft

I am a non-binary freelance writer working full-time in Oregon. Graduating Southern Oregon University with a BFA in Theatre and a specialization in creative writing, I have an invested interest in a variety of topics, particularly Pacific Northwest history. When I'm not writing personally or professionally, you can find me camping along the Oregon coast with my high school sweetheart and Chihuahua mix, or in my home kitchen, perfecting recipes in a gleaming cast iron skillet.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Goose vs. Duck: What Are the Differences? (With Pictures)

Ducks and geese are similar in appearance, and many people mistake one for the other. While there are a few key similarities, there are also distinct differences between these two bird types. Ducks and geese are both waterfowl and both a part of the family Anatidae. They both have webbed feet and broad, flat beaks and favor living in small flocks. That said, while all geese species are migratory birds, only some duck species are, and geese are typically much larger than ducks.

Let’s look at the similarities between these two waterfowl and the key differences.

Visual Differences

At a Glance

Goose

• Origin: Egypt
• Size: 30–40 inches long, 18–22 pounds
• Lifespan: 10–24 years
• Domesticated?: Estimated 3,000 years ago in Egypt

Duck

• Origin: China
• Size: 20–26 inches long, 1. 5–3.5 pounds
• Lifespan: 5–10 years
• Domesticated?: Estimated 2,200 years ago in Southeast Asia

Goose Overview

Characteristics & Appearance

Geese belong to the family Anatidae, which comprises the genera Anser, which are grey and white geese, and Branta, which are black geese. Within these groups, there are almost 100 different geese species, including:

• Canada goose
• Swan goose
• Greylag goose
• Brant goose
• Cackling goose
• Greater white-fronted goose

Geese are large birds, smaller than swans but much larger than ducks, with characteristic long necks and flattened bills. They are typically grey, white, or black in color, and some have wingspans up to 6 feet!

Geese live in various habitats, though they always tend to live close to water, including wetlands, marshes, streams, and lakes, and they can be found on every continent except Antarctica. All geese, domesticated or wild, are highly social creatures, and goose pairs typically mate for life. Except during breeding season, geese tend to live in large flocks, where they spend most of their time foraging for food.

One of the biggest differences between geese and ducks is geese’s tendency for aggression. During the breeding season, males can be highly territorial and aggressive in the protection of their young. Geese are large, somewhat clumsy birds, and this is largely why they have this driven, territorial instinct.

Uses

Geese are multipurpose animals and useful birds to have around on small farms. They also make beautiful show birds. They are great foragers and can help keep your lawn trim and free from weeds. They are low-maintenance birds in general, certainly less so than ducks. Geese are notoriously loud and noisy birds, though, which does make them great guard animals because they’ll always alert you to any strange new sounds or visitors.

While geese are not great layers (they only produce around 60 eggs a year), their eggs are large, nutritious, and delicious, and most species of domestic geese produce tender, premium-quality meat.

Duck Overview

Characteristics & Appearance

Ducks are, like geese, a part of the family Anatidae but are the smallest member. There are many different duck species, but the most common in the United States include:

• Mallards
• Scaups
• Teals
• American Widgeon

Ducks are typically divided into several categories according to common characteristics. These include diving ducks, dabbling ducks, goldeneyes, and perching ducks, and there are various species within these categories.

A standard duck, no matter the species, has a characteristic rounded head, torpedo-shaped body, and a flattened, rounded bill. Most ducks also have long necks but still much shorter necks than swans or geese. Males are usually the most colorful, depending on the species, and females typically have dull brown feathers that make it easier for them to hide from predators.

Ducks tend to spend most of their time on the water and inhabit ponds, streams, rivers, and wetlands and can be found on every continent but Antarctica. Ducks are generally docile, social creatures and do not have the aggressive reputation of geese. They do best in small flocks and are known to become depressed if they live alone. While geese are known for pair-mating and bonding for life, ducks form seasonal bonds only, and new pair bonds are formed each season. Ducks, like geese, are omnivores and forage on grass, aquatic plants, insects, and even small crustaceans.

Uses

Ducks are highly useful animals that are used for meat, eggs, and feathers. Since ducks are expert foragers, they are great for keeping weeds at bay and are the ideal solution if you have a slug infestation—slugs are irresistible to ducks!

Besides their delicious meat, ducks are far more prolific layers than geese, and in captivity, they can lay an egg every day or two in the right conditions, making them ideal for small homesteads as an alternative to chickens.

Related Read: 32 Fascinating & Fun Duck Facts You Never Knew

What Are the Differences Between Geese and Ducks?

Geese are far larger than even the biggest duck species and have longer, more slender necks too. Geese can occasionally be found with colored feathers, but ducks are generally far more colorful than geese, especially males. Ducks have longer, wider bills than geese and are omnivores, while geese tend to be predominantly herbivorous—although some species do eat small fish and insects at times.

Geese form powerful pair bonds and mate for life, while ducks have short mating seasons and mate with a different partner every season. Geese also have a far longer lifespan than ducks, and most ducks have an average lifespan of 10 years, while geese can easily live up to 20 years in the right conditions. Lastly, most ducks do not migrate, while all species of geese migrate every year.

Which Breed Is Right for You?

If you’re looking for an animal that can provide you with abundant, nutritious eggs and healthy, tender meat, ducks are the best choice. Geese eggs are also nutritious and tasty, but they lay much less frequently than ducks.

If, however, you’re looking for a beautiful pet bird to have on your homestead, both ducks and geese are great choices. Geese are great alarm systems and will notify you of any strange animals or people. They are also hardier and longer-lived than ducks, so if you’re looking for a low-maintenance pet, geese will be the better option.

You may also want to read about:

• 8 Largest Duck Breeds (With Pictures)
• Toulouse Goose
• Male vs Female Canada Goose: What’re The Differences? (with Pictures)

Featured Image Credit: Top – Goose (Pixabay) | Bottom – Duck (Pixabay)

Ducks or geese? Who is better to keep?

05/24/2022

Egor Kravchenko 0 Comment All about birds

Every poultry farmer at least once in his life wondered: who should get, geese or ducks? What is the best bird to breed? Let's try to figure it out in today's article.

In the case of ducks and geese, the selection should first of all be guided by the size of the plot and the conditions of detention.

WHAT CONDITIONS NEED?

Keeping geese requires a large area. Grazing is important for these birds, if there is a grassy meadow near your site, these are excellent conditions for geese. They need fresh juicy grass, at least 2 kilograms per day. At the same time, it is very convenient that the geese themselves will find their own food.

In the case of ducks, everything is simpler - they do not need huge spaces, but they need a reservoir. Ducks are very fond of swimming, so if there is a small body of water near your site, then feel free to get ducks for yourself. But the reservoir must be with stagnant water. If it is overgrown with algae or duckweed - great! Ducks love to eat them.

WHAT TO FEED?

In summer, ducks and geese can easily find their own food on pastures and water bodies.

In winter, the diet of ducks and geese must contain grain and succulent food (potatoes, beets, carrots). At the same time, vitamins and minerals must be added to the diet so that the bird receives all the necessary trace elements. Geese also need dried hay.

Ducks are more gluttonous than geese, but they gain weight faster - in a month and a half the bird can reach 2.5 - 3 kg of weight.

Geese gain weight more slowly than , on average it takes 60-80 days to get a well-fed bird weighing 4 to 6 kilograms.

WHY TO BREED?

Duck and goose meat can be considered moderately dietary. Duck meat is fatter and softer than goose. However, the goose has a higher percentage of meat at the exit. And due to the more costly content, goose meat is an order of magnitude more expensive than duck meat.

Duck can also be bred for eggs - they are tasty and very nutritious. But there is a nuance - duck eggs should be eaten hot - when cooling, the yolk of duck eggs turns blue and becomes hard. But freshly boiled eggs will delight you with their taste.

Geese can also be bred to obtain valuable goose down. From one bird per year, you can get up to 80 grams of feather and 30 grams of down. It is often used as a filler for pillows and down jackets. The goose feather is known for its hygroscopicity, the ability to retain heat and retain its shape for a long time.

INDUSTRIAL HOLDING OF DUCKS AND GEESE .

In conditions of industrial poultry breeding, when it is not possible to provide ducks and geese with pastures and water bodies, when there is no diversity in the diet, professional feeds designed to meet all the needs of the bird come to the rescue.

Protect&Feed has developed a nutrition program for DAK ducklings and goslings. It contains all the necessary vitamins, as well as micro and macro elements necessary for birds from birth to 8 weeks.

Breeding of geese and ducks. Whom to choose? Differences in the conditions of keeping, feeding and output when breeding geese and ducks

Often a novice poultry farmer cannot decide ducks or geese - which is better to breed? Geese or ducks are no more trouble than chickens. Just like for chickens, they need a special room , complete food, careful care for chickens and brood hens. In choosing a bird, one should be guided, first of all, by the size of the allotted area.

Grazing and housing conditions for geese and ducks

Before you decide to breed geese or ducks, you should know that geese need extensive pastures - real meadows. All day long, the goose walks by itself and feeds on meadow grasses, eating more than 2 kilograms per day. In this case, it should be borne in mind that geese can pluck grass only when the herbage is low, so the meadows must be constantly mowed. So figure out if you can provide walking for a whole herd of geese.

Ducks do not need a lot of space, but they are very fond of swimming and feeding in ponds. Do you have a pond near the house - feel free to take ducks. In industrial farms, ducks are grown without water, but this has its own difficulties. The fact is that ducks have very caustic secretions, and the grass under them burns out. In the summer, the duck provides itself with food, collecting it either from pastures or from reservoirs.

Feeding geese and ducks. Difference in feed rations

In the autumn-winter period, both geese and ducks need to be fed with grain and a wet mash of succulent feed (potatoes, beets, carrots, rutabaga) adding minerals and vitamins. Ducks are less picky about food, they can also eat kitchen waste. Geese, in addition to traditional food, definitely need hay.

If we compare a goose and a duck in terms of the amount of feed spent on weight gain, then ducks are more voracious. But if you want to get meat faster, get ducks. A well-fed duck, weighing 2.5-3 kilograms, you can get in a month and a half. The goose is slaughtered on average after 60-80 days. But he also weighs by that time, depending on the feed, 4-6 kilograms.

For what purposes are ducks and geese bred - meat or down?

Duck meat is fatter. Although recently the musk breed has become very popular, which has very tender, lean meat. They mistakenly think that duck meat is tough. If, before slaughtering a duck, do not let it into the pond for some time, the meat will become soft.

The goose has a considerable advantage - its valuable down. In terms of its properties - lightness and heat retention - this down is second only to eiderdown. You can pinch down from geese twice a year.

But ducks are remarkable not only for their meat. Now few people know how tasty and nutritious duck eggs are. However, they need to be eaten hot. Cooling, duck protein turns blue and becomes hard, like rubber.

For those who want to get a duck: for a small farm, the Peking or Musk breed is best.

Beijing breed - one of the best early maturing breeds, hardy. An adult drake weighs 3.5-4 kilograms, a duck 3-3.5. Egg production 80-120 eggs.

Popular among hobby poultry farmers Muscovy ducks accumulate some fat (only 22-26 percent). And an adult musk drake weighs as much as 6 kilograms, while a duck 3.

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