Magpie-goose
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The Magpie-goose, Anseranas semipalmata, is an unusual member of the bird order Anseriformes, the latter containing about 150 species in three families.
This species is distinctive enough to be the sole member of the Anseranatidae; the other two families are the Anhimidae, the screamers, and the Anatidae, the ducks, geese, and swans. The Magpie-goose is, of course, the only member of its genus Anseranas.
This is a resident breeder in northern Australia and southern New Guinea. It is found in a variety of open wet areas such as floodplains and swamps. It is fairly sedentary apart from some movement during the dry season.
The nest is on the ground, and a typical clutch is 5-14 eggs. Some males mate with two females.
Magpie-geese are unmistakable birds with their black and white plumage and yellowish legs. The feet are only partially webbed, although the Magpie-goose will feed on vegetable matter in the water as well as on land. Males are larger than females. Unlike true geese, the moult is gradual, and there is no flightless period.
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.
References
- BirdLife International (2004). [Anseranas semipalmata]. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
- Wildfowl by Madge and Burn, ISBN 0-7470-2201-1
- Pringle, J.D. (1985) The Waterbirds of Australia, Angus and Robertson/National Photographic Index of Australian Wildlife, Sydney.
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