Upland Goose
A species of Austral Sheldgeese Scientific name : Chloephaga picta Genus : Austral Sheldgeese
Upland Goose, A species of Austral Sheldgeese
Botanical name: Chloephaga picta
Genus: Austral Sheldgeese
Content
Description General Info
Description
These birds are 60–72.5 centimetres (23.6–28.5 in) long and weigh 2.7–3.2 kilograms (6.0–7.1 lb). Males have a white head and breast, whereas the females are brown with black-striped wings and yellow feet, and could be mistaken for ruddy-headed geese. A greenish-bronze speculum is located on the inner secondary flight feathers of the adult male. In Chapter VI of On the Origin of Species, author Charles Darwin noted that the upland goose has webbing between its toes that appeared to be "rudimentary in function, though not in structure", and concluded that this was a vestigial anatomical feature in this bird. 
Size
73 cm
Colors
Brown
Black
Gray
White
Life Expectancy
5-12 years
Feeding Habits
Upland Goose's diet consists mainly of vegetation including seeds, leaves, and stems. They forage in large flocks on pastures, impacting agriculture. Feeding behavior is marked by grazing, and they display unique adaptability to self-feed from birth.
Habitat
Upland Goose predominantly dwells in southern temperate grasslands, including arid lowland scrubs and pastures. These birds are often found in agricultural areas from sea level to elevations around 1,500 meters. Although upland Goose typically does not associate closely with aquatic environments, it inhabits grassy coastal meadows and island environments, such as the Falkland Islands, where it can be seen foraging significant distances away from bodies of water.
Dite type
Herbivorous
General Info
Behavior
The upland goose is primarily a herbivore, feeding mostly of seeds, leaves, stems, and other plant matter. They are very gregarious, and flocks of thousands of birds can be found grazing in one pasture alone. They are considered pests by farmers due to the fact that they eat on the pastures that are used for cattle and sheep. They breed in densely-vegetated areas on plains or slopes, mostly in September and October, or November on the Falkland Islands. Males attract females through a courtship display in which they whistle loudly, to which the female responds with softer cackles. They are monogamous, and if a male encroaches on another's territory, a violent fight may break out. Males have been found injured or dead after these fights. The nest is on the ground, concealed by dense vegetation, often located near water. A clutch consists of 5-8 eggs which are incubated for about 1 month. When the chicks hatch, they are covered in greyish-brown down. They don't remain in the nest for more than a day, quickly going to a nearby water source or feeding area, and are able to feed themselves from birth. They fledge in 9–10 weeks and reach maturity in 3 years.
Distribution Area
They are found in southern temperate grasslands, arid lowland scrubs, pastures and agricultural lands, from sea level up to around 1,500 meters. There is also a sizeable introduced population on the sub-Antarctic South Georgia Island.
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Waterfowl Family
Geese Genus
Austral Sheldgeese Species
Upland Goose 
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