Duck vs. Goose: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Published on February 12, 2024
Ducks are smaller, waterfowl with broad bills; geese are larger with tapered bills and longer necks.
Difference Between Duck and Goose
Ducks are commonly recognized by their compact bodies and broad bills. Geese, on the other hand, exhibit a larger physique, complemented by a tapered bill. Both are waterfowl, but their body structures are distinctively different.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 12, 2024
Ducks usually display a variety of colorful patterns and designs on their feathers. In contrast, geese predominantly showcase more uniform and muted colors. While both ducks and geese can be found in various habitats worldwide, their appearances make them distinguishable.
Muazma Batool
Feb 12, 2024
Ducks are known for their distinctive quacking sounds. Geese are recognized for their honking. These vocal differences are key indicators when trying to identify either bird, especially when they're not visible.
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Feb 12, 2024
In migratory patterns, ducks often fly in irregular groups. Geese are renowned for their V-shaped flight formation. Both species migrate, but the patterns they form while in flight are characteristic to each.
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Feb 12, 2024
Ducks have a diverse diet that can range from aquatic plants to small fish. Geese primarily feed on grass, grains, and berries. Both birds are adaptable and can modify their diets based on availability, but their primary food sources differ.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 12, 2024
Duck vs. Goose Comparison Chart
Duck vs. Goose Definitions
◉Duck
A waterfowl with a broad bill and webbed feet.
The duck swam gracefully across the pond.
Kaitlyn
Sep 25, 2023
◉Goose
A tailor's smoothing iron with a curved handle.
He used a goose to press the seams of the jacket.
Muazma Batool
Sep 25, 2023
◉Duck
To lower quickly, especially to avoid something.
When the ball flew towards him, he had to duck.
Levi
Sep 25, 2023
◉Goose
To poke or prod someone in a teasing manner.
She would goose her brother to make him jump.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 25, 2023
◉Duck
A decoy or target in shooting games.
He aimed carefully at the duck in the shooting gallery.
William
Sep 25, 2023
◉Goose
A source of regular income or profit.
Their new invention was the golden goose for the company.
Elijah
Sep 25, 2023
◉Goose
Any of various wild or domesticated waterbirds of the family Anatidae, and especially of the genera Anser, Branta, and Chen, characteristically having a shorter neck than that of a swan and a shorter, more pointed bill than that of a duck.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
◉Duck
Any of various wild or domesticated waterbirds of the family Anatidae, characteristically having a broad flat bill, short legs, and webbed feet.
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Sep 23, 2023
◉Goose
To give a spurt of fuel to (a car, for example); cause to accelerate quickly
"The pilot goosed his craft, powering away" (Nicholas Proffitt).
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Sep 23, 2023
◉Goose
Any of various grazing waterfowl of the family Anatidae, which have feathers and webbed feet and are capable of flying, swimming, and walking on land, and which are bigger than ducks.
There is a flock of geese on the pond.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
◉Duck
A similar vehicle used for civilian purposes, as to evacuate flood victims or for sightseeing tours. In both senses also called DUKW.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
◉Duck
To lower quickly, especially so as to avoid something
ducked his head as the ball came toward him.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
◉Goose
(archaic) A tailor's iron, heated in live coals or embers, used to press fabrics.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
◉Duck
In bridge, to deliberately play a card that is lower than (an opponent's card).
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
◉Goose
An old English board game in which players moved counters along a board, earning a double move when they reached the picture of a goose.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
◉Duck
To move swiftly, especially so as to escape being seen
ducked behind a bush.
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Sep 23, 2023
◉Goose
To gently accelerate (an automobile or machine), or give repeated small taps on the accelerator.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
◉Duck
To evade a responsibility or obligation. Often used with out
duck out on one's family.
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Sep 23, 2023
◉Goose
(UK slang) Of private-hire taxi drivers, to pick up a passenger who has not booked a cab. This is unauthorised under UK licensing conditions.
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Sep 23, 2023
◉Duck
In bridge, to lose a trick by deliberately playing lower than one's opponent.
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Sep 23, 2023
◉Duck
(intransitive) To quickly lower the head or body, often in order to prevent it from being struck by something.
Duck! There's a branch falling off the tree!
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Sep 23, 2023
◉Goose
Any large web-footen bird of the subfamily Anserinæ, and belonging to Anser, Branta, Chen, and several allied genera. See Anseres.
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Sep 23, 2023
◉Duck
(transitive) To quickly lower (the head or body), often in order to prevent it from being struck by something.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
◉Goose
Any large bird of other related families, resembling the common goose.
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Sep 23, 2023
◉Duck
(transitive) To lower (something) into water; to thrust or plunge under liquid and suddenly withdraw.
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Sep 23, 2023
◉Goose
A tailor's smoothing iron, so called from its handle, which resembles the neck of a goose.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
◉Duck
(intransitive) To go under the surface of water and immediately reappear; to plunge one's head into water or other liquid.
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Sep 23, 2023
◉Goose
A game played with counters on a board divided into compartments, in some of which a goose was depicted.
The pictures placed for ornament and use,The twelve good rules, the royal game of goose.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
◉Goose
web-footed long-necked typically gregarious migratory aquatic birds usually larger and less aquatic than ducks
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
◉Duck
(transitive) To lower the volume of (a sound) so that other sounds in the mix can be heard more clearly.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
◉Duck
(intransitive) To enter a place for a short moment.
I'm just going to duck into the loo for a minute, can you hold my bag?
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
◉Goose
A large waterfowl with a long neck and tapered bill.
The goose honked loudly as it flew overhead.
Levi
Sep 25, 2023
◉Duck
An aquatic bird of the family Anatidae, having a flat bill and webbed feet.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
◉Goose
To accelerate suddenly and swiftly.
He decided to goose the engine and speed up.
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Sep 25, 2023
◉Duck
Specifically, an adult female duck; contrasted with drake and with duckling.
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Sep 23, 2023
◉Duck
(cricket) A batsman's score of zero after getting out. (short for duck's egg, since the digit "0" is round like an egg.)
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Sep 23, 2023
◉Duck
A building intentionally constructed in the shape of an everyday object to which it is related.
A luncheonette in the shape of a coffee cup is particularly conspicuous, as is intended of an architectural duck or folly.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
◉Duck
A marble to be shot at with another marble (the shooter) in children's games.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
◉Duck
One of the weights used to hold a spline in place for the purpose of drawing a curve.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
◉Duck
(Midlands) Dear, mate (informal way of addressing a friend or stranger).
Ay up duck, ow'a'tha?
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
◉Duck
A linen (or sometimes cotton) fabric, finer and lighter than canvas, - used for the lighter sails of vessels, the sacking of beds, and sometimes for men's clothing.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
◉Duck
A sudden inclination of the bead or dropping of the person, resembling the motion of a duck in water.
Here be, without duck or nod,Other trippings to be trod.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
◉Duck
To thrust or plunge under water or other liquid and suddenly withdraw.
Adams, after ducking the squire twice or thrice, leaped out of the tub.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
◉Duck
To plunge the head of under water, immediately withdrawing it; as, duck the boy.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
◉Duck
To go under the surface of water and immediately reappear; to dive; to plunge the head in water or other liquid; to dip.
In Tiber ducking thrice by break of day.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
◉Duck
To drop the head or person suddenly; to bow.
The learned pateDucks to the golden fool.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
◉Duck
small wild or domesticated web-footed broad-billed swimming bird usually having a depressed body and short legs
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
◉Duck
to move (the head or body) quickly downwards or away;
Before he could duck, another stone struck him
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Sep 23, 2023
◉Duck
avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues);
He dodged the issue
she skirted the problem
They tend to evade their responsibilities
he evaded the questions skillfully
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
◉Duck
A durable, tightly woven fabric.
She bought duck fabric to make a strong tote bag.
Jonathan
Sep 25, 2023
Duck vs. Goose Frequently Asked Questions
Do both ducks and geese migrate?
Yes, both ducks and geese migrate, but geese are known for their V-shaped flight formations.
Muazma Batool
Feb 12, 2024
What's the primary difference between a duck and a goose?
Ducks are smaller with broad bills, while geese are larger with tapered bills and longer necks.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 12, 2024
Is 'goose' ever used in a context other than the bird?
Yes, 'goose' can refer to prodding someone or a tailor's iron, among other meanings.
Lucas
Feb 12, 2024
Can the word 'duck' be used as a verb?
Yes, 'duck' can mean to lower quickly to avoid something.
Leo
Feb 12, 2024
What do ducks primarily eat?
Ducks have a diverse diet including aquatic plants and small fish.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 12, 2024
Which is more colorful, a duck or a goose?
Ducks typically have more varied and colorful feathers, while geese have more uniform and muted colors.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 12, 2024
Which has a longer neck, a duck or a goose?
A goose typically has a longer neck than a duck.
Leo
Feb 12, 2024
Content Creators
Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
