# Toulouse Goose (*Anser anser domesticus*) The Toulouse Goose is a friendly bird often found on farms. They have soft feathers and a gentle honk that makes them fun to be around! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 5 - **Also known as:** Toulouse Waterfowl ![Toulouse Goose](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426017/objects/4592.jpg) ## Appearance The Toulouse Goose is a very large, heavy-bodied bird, often sporting a deep grey back and white belly. It has a distinctive, fleshy dewlap hanging beneath its chin and a prominent fat keel on its chest, giving it a somewhat saggy appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Anseriformes - **Family:** Anatidae - **Genus:** Anser ## Interesting facts - A group of geese on land is called a "gaggle," but flying, it's a "skein"! - Some Toulouse geese are too heavy to fly, preferring to waddle around instead. - Their unique dewlap makes them look like they are wearing a feathery beard! - They lay giant, white eggs, which are perfect for baking extra-big cakes! ## Special abilities - **Alarm Honk:** Toulouse Goose can loudly honk and hiss because of strong vocal cords that helps them warn others of intruders. - **Expert Grazer:** Toulouse Goose has a strong, broad beak that helps them efficiently clip and digest tough grasses. - **Water Glider:** Toulouse Goose has webbed feet that helps them paddle smoothly and quickly across water. - **Guardian Instinct:** Toulouse Goose can be very territorial because of their protective nature that helps them guard their flock and area. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 80-100 cm - **Wingspan:** 150-180 cm - **Weight:** 7-12 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-25 years - **Speed:** 40 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 10-15 - **Incubation:** 28-32 days ## Diet & Feeding These gentle giants love munching on plants, grasses, and seeds found while foraging on the ground. - **Primary Foods:** Grass, Clover, Grains, Aquatic plants, Weeds - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — Foxes are common predators of poultry, including geese. - **Eats:** [Human](https://www.snappit.app/explore/human) (*Homo sapiens*) — People raise Toulouse geese for meat and delicious eggs. - **Eats:** [White Clover](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-clover) (*Trifolium repens*) — A favorite pasture plant that geese love to graze upon. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Webbed Feet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/webbed-feet): Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always be gentle and calm around geese. They are friendly but can be startled easily. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Toulouse Goose? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Toulouse Goose? 80-100 cm ### What is Toulouse Goose's wingspan? 150-180 cm ### How much does Toulouse Goose weigh? 7-12 kg ### How long does Toulouse Goose live? 15-25 years ### How fast can Toulouse Goose move? 40 km/h ### What does Toulouse Goose eat? These gentle giants love munching on plants, grasses, and seeds found while foraging on the ground. ### How does Toulouse Goose hunt? Grazing ## Where to spot - [Kentucky Horse Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kentucky-horse-park) — Kentucky, US · Nature Reserve - [Back Bay](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/back-bay) — Massachusetts, US · Neighborhood - [Boston Public Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/boston-public-garden) — Massachusetts, US · Botanical Garden - [Dorchester Heights](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dorchester-heights) — Massachusetts, US · Historic District - [Ethel M Botanical Cactus Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ethel-m-botanical-cactus-garden) — Nevada, US · Botanical Garden - [Louisburg Square](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/louisburg-square) — Massachusetts, US · Neighborhood [View all places to see Toulouse Goose](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/toulouse-goose) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Toulouse Goose: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/toulouse-goose)