Kelp Goose
A species of Austral Sheldgeese Scientific name : Chloephaga hybrida Genus : Austral Sheldgeese
Kelp Goose, A species of Austral Sheldgeese
Botanical name: Chloephaga hybrida
Genus: Austral Sheldgeese
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Chloephaga_hybrida_-East_Falkland_-female-8.jpg , used under CC-BY-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
Males are a white color, with a black beak, and yellow feet. The females are dark brown, with transverse gray lines on the chest, and yellow feet.
Size
65 cm
Feeding Habits
Kelp Goose chiefly feeds on seaweed and algae along coastlines, grazing on green grasses and winter berries. This bird forages by grazing or dipping while swimming, flocking in large groups in summer. It uniquely consumes large salt quantities, balanced with freshwater intake.
Habitat
The kelp Goose is typically associated with coastal ecosystems, favoring environments such as rocky shorelines and shingle beaches. These birds thrive in areas with abundant offshore kelp beds, as these serve as their primary food source. While kelp Goose is known to breed near coastal freshwater lakes, they spend a significant portion of the year along the shores. They are characteristically found across the broader southern regions of South America, including subantarctic zones.
Dite type
Herbivorous
General Info
Behavior
Kelp geese generally have clutches of 2-7 eggs. They prefer to hide their eggs in long grass. The eggs hatch about a month later. There are about 15,000 breeding pairs in existence.
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Photo By Chloephaga_hybrida_-East_Falkland_-female-8.jpg , used under CC-BY-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Waterfowl Family
Geese Genus
Austral Sheldgeese Species
Kelp Goose