Andean Goose (Chloephaga melanoptera) — Facts, Habitat & Conservation

حول

A large white-and-black sheldgoose with a distinctive black-tipped pink-and-black bill, bright pink legs, and black wings. Endemic to high Andean puna. One of the highest-living birds in the Americas; found beside glacial lakes and streams. Monogamous; highly territorial during breeding.

Physical Description

Measurement	Value	Imperial
طول الجناح	86,3 cm	34.0 in
الوزن	2617,5 g	92.33 oz

التعرف

الريش

Entirely white plumage except black-tipped primaries and black tail. Bill and legs coral-pink. Larger than most Chloephaga. Sexes similar. Inhabits high Andean lakes and grasslands above 3,000 m.

Habitat & Range

High-altitude puna grassland, bofedales (cushion bogs), and lakeshores at 3,500–5,500 m in the Andes from Peru through Bolivia and Chile to northwestern Argentina. Grazes beside glacial and alpine lakes.

🌿 Wetland 🌾 Grassland

النطاق الجغرافي

Formerly widespread on the Mascarene Island of Réunion. Extinct in the 17th century; extirpated by hunting and introduced predators.

Diet & Feeding

Eats grasses, seeds, molluscs, and aquatic invertebrates; wades in shallow water; diet includes invertebrates year-round.

حالة الحفاظ

Least Concern

IUCN Red List

السلوك والتكاثر

التعشيش

Incubation: 30 days. Fledging: 84 days.

عدد البيض في الوضع

5-10

الصوت

الغناء

A loud, cackling 'kek-kek-kek' from high-altitude Andean puna. Pairs are territorial and vocal. Calls carry well across open altiplano above 4,000 m elevation.

التصنيف

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
الرتبة	Anseriformes (Waterfowl)
الفصيلة	Anatidae (Ducks, Geese & Swans)
Genus	Chloephaga
الأنواع	Chloephaga melanoptera

External Databases

الأسئلة الشائعة

What does the Andean Goose eat?

Eats grasses, seeds, molluscs, and aquatic invertebrates; wades in shallow water; diet includes invertebrates year-round.

Where does the Andean Goose live?

High-altitude puna grassland, bofedales (cushion bogs), and lakeshores at 3,500–5,500 m in the Andes from Peru through Bolivia and Chile to northwestern Argentina. Grazes beside glacial and alpine lakes.

Is the Andean Goose endangered?

The Andean Goose has a conservation status of Least Concern.

How does the Andean Goose nest?

Incubation: 30 days. Fledging: 84 days.

What does the Andean Goose sound like?

A loud, cackling 'kek-kek-kek' from high-altitude Andean puna. Pairs are territorial and vocal. Calls carry well across open altiplano above 4,000 m elevation.

How big is the Andean Goose?

The Andean Goose has a wingspan of 86.3 cm, weight of 2617.5 g.

What order and family does the Andean Goose belong to?

The Andean Goose (Chloephaga melanoptera) belongs to the order Anseriformes and the family Anatidae.