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Difference between revisions of "Magpie Goose" - BirdForum Opus

Line 4: Line 4:
 
*Black and white plumage
 
*Black and white plumage
 
*Yellow legs
 
*Yellow legs
 +
*White Plumage often Stained
 +
*Distinct Knob on older Birds
 +
*Hooked Bill
 +
*Face skin Yellow or Flesh Colour
 +
*Partly Webbed feet
  
 
Males are larger than females.
 
Males are larger than females.
 +
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
Northern [[Australia]] and southern [[New Guinea]].
+
Northern [[Australia]] and southern [[New Guinea]]. Occasionally found as far south as Victoria
 +
 
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
 
This species is distinctive enough to be the sole member of its genus ''Anseranas'' and family Anseranatidae.  
 
This species is distinctive enough to be the sole member of its genus ''Anseranas'' and family Anseranatidae.  
  
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
Floodplains and swamps.
+
Rush and sedge dominated swamps, flood plains and rice crops.
  
 
==Behaviour==
 
==Behaviour==
 
It is fairly sedentary apart from some movement during the dry season.
 
It is fairly sedentary apart from some movement during the dry season.
 +
 
====Breeding====
 
====Breeding====
 
Its nest is on the ground, and a typical clutch is 5-14 eggs. Some males mate with two females.
 
Its nest is on the ground, and a typical clutch is 5-14 eggs. Some males mate with two females.

Revision as of 23:58, 12 December 2009

Anseranas semipalmata
Photo by RMD.
Photo taken: Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory, Australia.

Identification

  • Black and white plumage
  • Yellow legs
  • White Plumage often Stained
  • Distinct Knob on older Birds
  • Hooked Bill
  • Face skin Yellow or Flesh Colour
  • Partly Webbed feet

Males are larger than females.

Distribution

Northern Australia and southern New Guinea. Occasionally found as far south as Victoria

Taxonomy

This species is distinctive enough to be the sole member of its genus Anseranas and family Anseranatidae.

Habitat

Rush and sedge dominated swamps, flood plains and rice crops.

Behaviour

It is fairly sedentary apart from some movement during the dry season.

Breeding

Its nest is on the ground, and a typical clutch is 5-14 eggs. Some males mate with two females.

They are colonial breeders and are gregarious outside of the breeding season when they can form large and noisy flocks of up to a few thousand individuals. The voice is a loud honking.

Diet

Includes vegetable matter.

Discussion

Unlike true geese, the moult is gradual, and there is no flightless period.

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