Wednesday 17 February 2021

Wild Bird Wednesday 447 - Magpie Goose

The Magpie Goose (Anseranas semipalmata) is a large and distinctive bird that was very widespread is Australia.  It can still be found in large numbers in northern Australia, and in some places in southern they have been reintroduced and are starting to repopulate areas in which they were once common.


The Magpie Goose is neither a magpie (ie a crow) or a true goose.  It belongs to the family Anseranatidae and the genus Anseranas - and it is the only living species of bird that is classified in that way. It is not considered to be a 'true goose' as it has primitive features - but that's about as far down this taxonomic rabbit hole as I am prepared to go tonight!

These birds were photographed in the Northern Territory of Australia - the park images in Darwin and the wetland images in Kakadu National Park.









As a side challenge - how many (and what) other species can you find in these pictures!

As ever, to join in with WBW click on the blue button below.  Stay well.  SM


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15 comments:

  1. Well this was a bit of a challenge but here are my answers. Well Stewart I see the Pied Heron, The Black winged Stilt, Purple Swamphen, Australasia Grebe and possible small wader (couldn’t see its head) or Dusky Moorhen. Thanks for hosting, stay safe adn have a great week ahead

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  2. When is a goose not a goose?? It's pretty whatever one calls it...Not being a true birder, I didn't know what any of the other birds are...lots of black!! Nice series of pictures..

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  3. A first sighting for me! Thank you for these fine shots. Aloha! Incidentally, the Redwing Blackbird I'm sharing was from N. California - none in Hawaii far as I know.

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  4. This species seems to share the "No Birds' Land" between ducks and geese with the Shelducks, Muscovy Ducks and Egyptian Geese. The Swamphens are enjoying g shower as they parade around the bathing non-goose Goose.

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  5. They look like they got bonked on the head!

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  6. Nice series of pictures of an enigmatic bird, Stewart. As for other species: Australasian Swamphen, Pied Heron, White-headed Stilt, Comb-crested Jacana and a grebe which I am fairly sure is an Australasian Grebe but there is not a lot of detail from which to draw a conclusion.

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  7. Hari OM
    They have a certain...something... prehistorical perhaps?! No but really, they are a fine bird and your shots give them lovely context. YAM xx

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  8. I can see the reason for the magpie name. The head is so unusual. Thank you for sharing.

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  9. Nice shot with moor hens surrounding him.

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  10. Nice to get to know new birds. Thanks for sharing.
    All the best!

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  11. Well you KNOW I don't know my water fowl so for the 7 (+a tail end) of some sort of coot????? Stay healthy...jp

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  12. Love those bottoms up shots! Interesting bird.

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  13. Everyone with far more knowledge than myself have been listing the birds seen so I will abstain! Beautiful photos. Sorry I have not had the time to spend at my computer this week will try to do better next week. Cheers Diane

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  14. What a unique bird! With the wings spread out, it looks prehistoric.

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  15. Prehistoric head but very elegant bird
    I think Margaret hit most of the other species
    Stay safe

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