Goose or swan?
How to tell them apart
Swans, geese and ducks are one family; swans are the largest waterfowl, and ducks the smallest and shortest-necked.
Quick answers
They differ on 2 of the 8 quick answers: domesticated, do people eat it.
| Question | Goose | Swan |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | Bird | Bird |
| Carnivore? | No, herbivore | No, herbivore |
| Dangerous? | Can be | Can be |
| Domesticated? differs | Yes | No |
| Awake when? | Daytime | Daytime |
| Hibernates? | No | No |
| Kept as a pet? | No | No |
| Do people eat it? differs | Yes | No |
At a glance
| Question | Goose | Swan |
|---|---|---|
| Found in differs | Worldwide | Europe, Asia, North America, Australia |
| Habitat differs | Wetland, Rivers & lakes, Grassland, Farmland | Rivers & lakes, Wetland, Coast |
| Size differs | Medium | Large |
| Length differs | 76–89 cm (greylag goose) | 1.44–1.58 m (mute swan) |
| Weight differs | 2.2–4.6 kg (greylag goose) | 7.6–14.3 kg (mute swan) |
| Legs | 2 | 2 |
| Covered in | Feathers | Feathers |
| Lives differs | In flocks | In pairs |
| Lives for differs | 10–24 years | 20–30 years |
| Can fly | Yes | Yes |
| Swims | Yes | Yes |
| Lays eggs | Yes | Yes |
About each
Goose
Large waterfowl, between ducks and swans in size. Most wild species migrate, and domestic geese come from the wild greylag goose and swan goose.
Swan
The largest waterfowl, and among the largest flying birds in their range, with six living species. Northern Hemisphere swans are pure white; southern ones are black or black and white.
Sources
Last reviewed . The answers and notes come from each animal's own page, where every source is listed.
How each answer is decided: How we answer. More look-alikes: Side by side.