Family
Anseranatidae
Description
Long yellow legs and knobbed head distinguish this lanky black and white goose; broad wings with pronounced black fingertips; white underparts and underwings, large black tail. Immature: smuttier, crown rounded.
Habits
Diurnal, With the onset of the wet season geese spread across the Top End flood Plains, separating into pairs and threes to make nest platforms in the swamp grasses. Males often mate with two females, both females lay in the same nest and all three birds help incubate the eggs.
Habitat
Wetlands Grassland, Widespread throughout the northern floodplains of the NT. Inland waters and fringing forests.
Notes
Appears to have contracted to tropical regions from a wider distribution in Australia. * A major issue in goose reduction is indiscriminate shooting (overkill) and subsequent lead-poisoning.
Breeding
November December January February, depending on water levels and seasonal conditions. 5 - 9 cream eggs in a nest of swamp grass, Incubation for about 24 days by both sexes. Young fly after 77 days.
Parks
Kakadu National Park
Diet
Herbivore, Swamp Vegetation and grasses.
Details
Common Name: |
Magpie Goose, Pied Goose |
Scientific Name: |
Anseranas semipalmata |
Sub Order: |
Unavailable |
Order: |
Unavailable |
Class: |
Aves |
Category: |
Common |
Status: |
Least Concern |
Size: |
Male 750-920 |
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