Magpie Goose
Anseranas semipalmata
Magpie Goose (Anseranas semipalmata) — Ducks, Geese & Swans of Australia & Oceania.
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The Magpie Goose (Anseranas semipalmata) is a member of the Anseranatidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 2.4 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Anseriformes
- Family Anseranatidae Magpie Goose
- Genus Anseranas
- Species semipalmata
Where it lives
Trans-Fly (south-central New Guinea) and northeastern WA to southern VIC (northern, eastern Australia)
Quick facts
- Weight
- 2.4 kg
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Anseranatidae
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Magpie Goose is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Magpie Goose is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Magpie Goose (Anseranas semipalmata) belongs to the Anseranatidae family of the order Anseriformes. Its range spans Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU Trans-Fly (sc New Guinea) and ne WA to s VIC (n, e Australia).
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 2.4 kg, with a wing length of about 40.6 cm and a tail of around 14.8 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 223,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Magpie Goose?
The Magpie Goose is a very large bird that weighs around 2.4 kg.
Where does the Magpie Goose live?
The Magpie Goose is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU Trans-Fly (sc New Guinea) and ne WA to s VIC (n, e Australia), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Magpie Goose belong to?
The Magpie Goose (Anseranas semipalmata) belongs to the Anseranatidae family, in the order Anseriformes.
What does the Magpie Goose eat?
The Magpie Goose is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Magpie Goose migrate?
The Magpie Goose is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Magpie Goose endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Magpie Goose make?
4 real field recordings of the Magpie Goose — including its call and flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, each credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Magpie Goose's range?
The Magpie Goose has a mapped global range of about 223,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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