Two Cape Barrens geese Two Cape Barren geese
Cape Barren Goose

Scientific Classification

Common Name
Cape Barren goose
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Anseriformes
Family
Anatidae
Genus Species
Cereopsis novaehollandiae

Fast Facts

Description
The Cape Barren goose has pale gray plumage with black markings near the wing tips and tail.  These geese also have pink legs, black feet and a bright greenish-yellow knot on their short black bill.
Size
Approximately 85 cm (24.5 ft) long; wingspan 1.7 m (5.5 ft)
Weight
Approximately 3.12-6.8 kg (6.98-15 lbs.)
Diet
Feeds on common island tussock, spear grass, and various herbs and succulents; also pasture grasses including barley grass and clover
Incubation
30 days
Clutch Size
Lays approximately 5 eggs
Fledging Duration
Roughly 70 days
Sexual Maturity
Approximately 3 years
Life Span
No data
Range
This species has a very large range and can be found in Western Australia, Southern Australia, and Tasmania.
Habitat
These birds are usually found on small, windy and generally uninhabited offshore islands.
Population
The total population is estimated between 16,000-18,000 individuals, roughly equating to 11,000-12,000 mature individuals. The population appears to be stable and is not severely fragmented.
Status 
IUCN: Least Concern
CITES: Not listed
USFWS:  Not listed

Fun Facts

Cape Barren geese were once thought to be the immature phase of the native black swan.

These birds produce sounds similar to a grunting pig.


Ecology and Conservation

By the 1950s the Cape Barren goose was nearly extinct. Today, thanks to increased habitat protection their population appears to be stabilizing.


Bibliography

Austin, G. Birds of the World. New York. Golden Press, Inc., 1961.

Gotch, A.F. Birds - Their Latin Names Explained. UK. Blandford Books Ltd., 1981.

Johnsgard, P. Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World. Lincoln. Univ. Of Neb. Press, 1978.

Scott, P. A Coloured Key of the Wildfowl of the World. Slimbridge, England. The Wildfowl Trust. 1988.

Todd, F.S. Natural History of Waterfowl. San Diego, Ca. Ibis Publishing Co., 1996.

parks.tas.gov.au/wildlife/birds/cbg.html

BirdLife International. 2018. Cereopsis novaehollandiae. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22679958A131910442. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22679958A131910442.en. Downloaded on 10 December 2018.

Photo Credit: Cape_Barren_Geese.jpg. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Image by: D. Gordon E. Robinson. Year Created: 22 April 2005. Website: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cape_Barren_Geese.jpg. License: CC by SA 3.0.