Blue-winged Goose
Cyanochen cyanoptera
The Blue-winged Goose (Cyanochen cyanoptera) is a rare ducks, swans, and geese found in 5 countries, weighing about 1.5 kg. The blue-winged goose is a waterfowl species which is endemic to Ethiopia.
About the Blue-winged Goose
The blue-winged goose is a waterfowl species which is endemic to Ethiopia. It is the only member of the genus Cyanochen.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
It is a stocky grey-brown goose-like bird about 60–75 centimetres (24–30 in) long with a slightly paler head and upper neck. It has a small black bill and black legs. Standing birds look fairly dull, grey and dirty white, sometimes showing the blue along the edge of the wing. The sexes are similar, but immature birds are duller. The plumage is thick and loose, an adaptation to the cold of the Ethiopian highlands. In flight, the pale blue upper forewing is conspicuous; the primary feathers are black, and the secondary feathers black glossed green. Voice: The blue-winged goose is a quiet species, but both sexes may give a high-pitched whistle; it does not honk or cackle like the true geese, but may make a barking alarm call when flushed.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Spain, Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, August, October, November, December, with peak activity in November. It is a winter visitor species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Blue-winged Goose?
- It is a stocky grey-brown goose-like bird about 60–75 centimetres (24–30 in) long with a slightly paler head and upper neck. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Blue-winged Goose?
- The Blue-winged Goose is a huge sized bird weighing about 1.5 kg.
- Where can you see a Blue-winged Goose?
- The Blue-winged Goose occurs in 5 countries, including Ethiopia.
- What birds look similar to a Blue-winged Goose?
- The Blue-winged Goose is most easily confused with the Scaly-sided Merganser, the Chubut Steamer Duck and the Meller's Duck.
- Is the Blue-winged Goose endangered?
- The Blue-winged Goose is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Blue-winged Goose for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.