Andean Goose

Chloephaga melanoptera

Least Concern · IUCN Red List

LCLeast ConcernPlantsWetlandCavity nestHuge · 2.0 kg

ID tip

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".

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

When to see the Andean Goose

One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is October, the month with the most records.

Where to see the Andean Goose

Regular rangeRare visitor

The map shades 4 countries with regular records, and 1 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.

Recorded as a rare visitor in Germany.

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.

Easily confused with

Side by side: Andean Goose vs Upland Goose · Andean Goose vs Steller's Eider · Andean Goose vs Freckled Duck · Andean Goose vs Ashy-headed Goose · Andean Goose vs Kelp Goose · Andean Goose vs Ruddy-headed Goose

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