Cape Barren Goose

Images ©:
Bob Winters | Bob Winters | The State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industry/McCann

Cereopsis novaehollandiae

Very large bird, up to 87 cm. Pale grey with a small head. Rows of dark spots in lines across the shoulders. Legs are pink to deep red. Feet are black.

Details
Type
Bird
Group
Animals
Goose
Biology

Breeding season: July to September. Clutch size is four to seven eggs. During the summer, the non-breeding geese generally leave the islands for the mainland where they feed on improved pasture.
Distinctive Markings

Stubby triangular bill.
Taxonomy
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Anseriformes
Family
Anatidae
Genus
Cereopsis
Species
novaehollandiae

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

The Cape Barren Goose is able to drink salty or brackish water, allowing many of them to remain on offshore islands all year round.

Interesting Facts
Diet

Herbivore. Feeds on common island tussock grass, Poa poiformis, as well as spear grass and various herbs and succulents. They also eat pasture grasses, including barley and clover, and legumes.
Habitat

Found on offshore islands, in areas of pasture, tussock grass or low healthy scrub.
Native Status
Native to Australia
Audio
Sounds
On the ground usually quiet unless alarmed or in display. In flight more vocal, male has higher pitched, harsh trumpeted "ark, ark-ark".