Magpie Goose
ExploreBirds
Magpie Goose
anseranas semipalmata
The Magpie Goose is a large, black-and-white bird that loves to waddle around wetlands. These geese are great swimmers and can often be seen floating on water!
Habitat: Magpie Geese live in wetlands, swamps, and along the edges of rivers and lakes.
Appearance
The Magpie Goose has striking black and white plumage, creating a tuxedo-like appearance. It features long, yellow-orange legs and feet, and a prominent bony knob on its head, more noticeable in older individuals.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderAnseriformesFamilyAnseranatidaeGenusAnseranas
Category
BirdsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
A single Magpie Goose nest can hold up to 14 eggs from multiple females!
Magpie Geese have a bony knob on their head that grows bigger with age.
Their feet are only partially webbed, making them unique among waterfowl!
They are one of the oldest living bird lineages, dating back millions of years!
Special abilities
Ability
Tree Percher
Magpie Goose can perch in trees because of their long, partially-webbed toes that help them grip branches.
Ability
Flight Master
Magpie Goose has a unique non-simultaneous wing feather molt that allows them to fly year-round, unlike most ducks.
Ability
Wetland Engineer
Magpie Goose can build massive, floating nests up to a meter high, which helps protect their eggs from rising water.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 70-90 cm
- Wingspan
- 130-180 cm
- Weight
- 1.9-3.1 kg
- Lifespan
- 10-20 years
- Top Speed
- 70 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 8-14
- Incubation
- 23-28 days
- Migration Distance
- 2000 km
Diet & Feeding
These geese are mostly vegetarian, munching on grasses, seeds, and the juicy parts of water plants.
Primary Foods
- Grasses
- Sedges
- Tubers
- Seeds
- Aquatic plant leaves
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Saltwater Crocodile
Crocodylus porosus
Hunts adult and juvenile Magpie Geese in water.
eaten by
Lace Monitor
Varanus varius
Preys on eggs and chicks in ground nests.
depends on
Water Lily
Nymphaea nouchali
Consumes tubers and seeds from the plant.
depends on
Tall Spike-rush
Eleocharis sphacelata
Grazes on shoots and roots in wetlands.
Traits
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Also known as
Australian Magpie GoosePied Goose
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Magpie Goose?
70-90 cm
What is Magpie Goose's wingspan?
130-180 cm
How much does Magpie Goose weigh?
1.9-3.1 kg
How long does Magpie Goose live?
10-20 years
How fast can Magpie Goose move?
70 km/h
What does Magpie Goose eat?
These geese are mostly vegetarian, munching on grasses, seeds, and the juicy parts of water plants.
Where is Magpie Goose usually found?
Magpie Geese live in wetlands, swamps, and along the edges of rivers and lakes.
How does Magpie Goose hunt?
Foraging
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