Cape Barren Goose

Meet the Cape Barren Goose!

The ashy goose or gallinaceous goose is the least aquatic of its kind. It is not a good swimmer and is characterized by its slow and clumsy flight, this is due to the fact that it is a more corpulent bird than the rest of its relatives.

It is lead gray in color, with darker markings towards the tail, which is black. The short black bill is covered by a lime yellow wax around the nostrils. Pink legs with black feet. The female is slightly smaller than the male.

It is a species endemic to Australia and reintroduced in New Zealand.

What are its habits?

This goose spends its life on land and is characterized by being aggressive and territorial, especially during the mating season. It fears no one and drives larger animals, and even humans, out of its space.

It feeds on grasses, buds and shoots. As for reproduction, incubation lasts 35 days (it usually lays three to six eggs). Its life expectancy is more than 18 years.

Conservation

Extinct

Extinct in the wild

Critically endangered

Endangered

Vulnerable

Near threatened

Least concern

Insufficient data

Not evaluated

DID YOU KNOW ...

Ashy-headed geese perform “triumph ceremonies”, after mating the pairs stand facing each other raising and lowering their heads on their outstretched necks, calling loudly. Such displays can also be seen as aggressive behavior towards other birds.