Andean Goose
Chloephaga melanoptera
The Andean Goose (Chloephaga melanoptera) is a uncommon ducks, swans, and geese found in 5 countries, weighing about 2.0 kg. The Andean goose is a species of waterfowl in tribe Tadornini of subfamily Anserinae.
About the Andean Goose
The Andean goose is a species of waterfowl in tribe Tadornini of subfamily Anserinae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The Andean goose is 70 to 76 cm (28 to 30 in) long and weighs 2.73 and 3.64 kg (6.0 and 8.0 lb). Both sexes have the same plumage. Adults' heads and bodies are white. Some scapulars have sooty centers and others are dark brown, giving a striped appearance to the shoulders. The wing's primaries and the tail are black with a greenish gloss. Their bill is coral red with a black nail and the legs and feet are light red. Downy young are mostly white with some blackish spots and streaks. Older immatures are similar to adults but duller. Voice: The Andean goose is very vocal, and males and females have very different voices. Males make "a "soft huit-wit-wit..., crip, quiop, low, grunting kwwwwwu..., single-syllable threat whistle, and double-syllable sexual calls." Females make a louder "somewhat grating kwa-kwak and "a hoarse gack-gack".
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Germany.
When to see it
The Andean Goose can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify an Andean Goose?
- The Andean goose is 70 to 76 cm (28 to 30 in) long and weighs 2.73 and 3.64 kg (6.0 and 8.0 lb). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is an Andean Goose?
- The Andean Goose is a huge sized bird weighing about 2.0 kg.
- Where can you see an Andean Goose?
- The Andean Goose occurs in 5 countries, including Chile, Peru, Argentina and Bolivia.
- What birds look similar to an Andean Goose?
- The Andean Goose is most easily confused with the Ashy-headed Goose, the Kelp Goose and the Ruddy-headed Goose.
- Is the Andean Goose endangered?
- The Andean Goose is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Andean Goose for real
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