Stats

Lifespan: 15-25 yrs
Size: Large
Diet: Herbivore
Activity: Diurnal
Social: Flock
Biome: Freshwater wetland
Range: Australia
Movement: Flight
Breeding: Egg-laying
Defense: Herd Safety
Status: Uncommon

About

Magpie Geese are large, flightless waterbirds found in northern Australia and southern New Guinea. They are unique in that they are the only living species of their family, Anseranatidae.

Life cycle

1.
egg
A clutch of eggs rests in a down-lined nest near water, covered and warmed by the brooding female.
2.
hatchling
A downy hatchling follows its mother to the water within hours and feeds itself almost immediately.
3.
juvenile
A juvenile grows its first true feathers, swimming in the family group and learning to dabble or dive.
4.
adult
Fully grown with adult plumage.

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Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anseranatidae
Genus: Anseranas
Species: Anseranas semipalmata