Thursday, May 10, 2012

>Chloephaga melanoptera (Andean Goose)

Andean Goose

Andean Goose
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Anseriformes
Family:Anatidae
Subfamily:Tadorninae
Genus:Chloephaga
Species:C. melanoptera
Binomial name
Chloephaga melanoptera
(Eyton, 1838)
The Andean GooseChloephaga melanoptera, is a member of the duck, goose and swan family Anatidae. It is in the shelduck subfamily Tadorninae.
It is resident around lakes and marshes in the high Andes, usually well above 3000 m. It is largely terrestrial and avoids swimming except in emergencies.
This heavily built bird has a tiny pink bill and white plumage except for black in the wings and tail. The female is similar to the male, but is smaller.
The Andean Goose is a grazing species, eating grasses. It nests on the ground in a bare scrape near water, laying 6-10 eggs. It is territorial in the breeding season, but otherwise forms small flocks.

Feeding




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