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.
