British Waterfowl Association

Upland Goose

Upland Goose male
Upland (Lesser Magellan) Goose male, Tierra del Fuego — Morag Jones
Upland gosling
Upland gosling, Tierra del Fuego — Morag Jones
Upland Goose
Upland (Lesser Magellan) Goose — Morag Jones

Chloephaga picta

The Upland or Magellan Goose is split into two main subspecies, the Lesser and Greater Upland Goose. The subspecies differ in size, geographic location and the degree of barring found on the upper chest. This sheldgoose species is found in lowland grasslands up to 1,500m throughout Argentina, Chile and the Falkland Islands.

Greater Magellan or Upland Goose, Falkland Islands - Morag Jones

This species is strongly sexually dimorphic (males and females look different), with the males possessing an overall white plumage with degrees of black barring over the body, whilst the female is a russet brown colour with similar black barring.

Upland Goose male
The Upland Goose is strongly territorial — Morag Jones

A strongly monogamous and territorial species, fights often break out between pairs, with numerous documented observations of Upland Geese attacking and killing the smaller, congeneric Ruddy-headed Goose.

Ring Size

18mm

This size is only a guide. Please read more about ringing here.

 

A beautiful and long lived species in captivity, whose pugnacious behaviour can make them challenging to hold within mixed collections. They nest on the ground, concealed by dense vegetation, often located near water. 5-8 eggs are incubated for about 30 days.