From Opus

Anseranas semipalmata

Photo by RMD.
Photo taken: Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory, Australia.

[edit] Identification

• Black and white plumage
• Yellow legs

Males are larger than females.

[edit] Distribution

Northern Australia and southern New Guinea.

[edit] Taxonomy

This species is distinctive enough to be the sole member of its genus Anseranas and family Anseranatidae.

[edit] Habitat

Floodplains and swamps.

[edit] Behaviour

It is fairly sedentary apart from some movement during the dry season.

[edit] Breeding

Its nest is on the ground, and a typical clutch is 5-14 eggs. Some males mate with two females.

They are colonial breeders and are gregarious outside of the breeding season when they can form large and noisy flocks of up to a few thousand individuals. The voice is a loud honking.

[edit] Diet

Includes vegetable matter.

[edit] Discussion

Unlike true geese, the moult is gradual, and there is no flightless period.

[edit] External Links

• View more images of this species on the ABID