a ♀ magpie goose - a photo on Flickriver

a ♀ magpie goose

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...from a walk along Scrubby Creek in the Berrinba Wetlands. The wetlands are man-made, created by sand and mining operations after World War II, and have largely remained untouched since the 1990s. Non-native trees have been cleared, leaving natural bush and regrowth to encourage the return of native wildlife. 8.5 km of walkways and bike tracks. (Source: Logan City Council - www.logan.qld.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/parks/park...)

Magpie Goose
Scientific Name: Anseranas semipalmata
Description: The Magpie Goose has a black neck and head, with a characteristic knob on the crown (larger in males), which increases in size with age. The underparts are white, with contrasting black edges on the underwing. The bill, legs and feet are orange. The Magpie Goose differs from most waterfowl in having strongly clawed toes that are webbed only on their basal halves (i.e. only partly webbed). Females are slightly smaller than males.
Distribution: The Magpie Goose is widespread throughout coastal northern and eastern Australia. It can be seen from Fitzroy River, Western Australia, through northern Australia to Rockhampton, Queensland, and has been extending its range into coastal New South Wales to the Clarence River and further south.
Habitat: The Magpie Goose is seen in floodplains and wet grasslands. Some individuals, mostly younger birds, may be seen at quite long distances inland.
Feeding: Large, noisy flocks of up to a few thousand birds congregate to feed on aquatic vegetation. The Magpie Goose is a specialized feeder with wild rice, Oryza, Paspalum, Panicum and spike-rush, Eleocharis, forming the bulk of its diet.
Breeding: During the breeding season, Magpie Geese build nests in secluded places, usually close to wetlands. The nest is almost single-handedly constructed by the male. It usually consists of a simple unlined cup placed either in a floating platform of trampled reeds or built in tree-tops. Pairs of geese mate for life, but a male may have two females. Two females may occasionally use the same nest to lay the large, oval, off-white coloured eggs. All adults share incubation and care for the young.
Minimum Size: 71cm
Maximum Size: 89cm
Average size: 82cm
Breeding season: February to June
Clutch Size: Up to 16 eggs for 2 females, but 8 more common
(Source: birdsinbackyards.net)

© Chris Burns 2015
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All rights reserved.

This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.

Taken in: Australia / Queensland / Brisbane (show map)

Taken on: September 7, 2015

Tags:

Magpie Goose

Anseranas semipalmata

Australian bird

fauna

Australian fauna

feathers

water bird

wader

Nikon D750

nature

Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports

SIGMA TELE CONV TC-1401 NIK

wetlands

Berrinba Wetlands « less

Sets appears in: • Berrinba Wetlands • Birds more » • Water Birds « less

Groups appears in: • Australian Natural • Australian Wildlife more » • Australian Birds • *I Love Birds* • Flickr Australia • ^ Wildlife of Australia ^ • Brisbane Bird photography • Field Guide to the Birds of Aus • BirdWatching Magazine • Australian Nature Photographers • Birds of Australia « less

Camera: Nikon D750, f/9.0, 1/125 sec, 850mm, ISO 400 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D750
Lens:	150.0-600.0 mm f/5.0-6.3
Aperture:	f/9.0
Exposure Time:	0.008 sec (1/125)
Focal Length:	850mm
ISO:	400
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Center-weighted average
White Balance:	Auto
Sharpness:	Hard
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	Adobe Photoshop CS6 (Windows)
Show full info

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