Kelp Goose

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Kelp Goose
Conservation status
Least Concern
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae Genus: Chloephaga Species: C. hybrida
Binomial name
Chloephaga hybrida (Molina, 1782)

The Kelp Goose (Spanish:Caranca or Cauquén Marino), Chloephaga hybrida, is a member of the duck, goose and swan family Anatidae. It is in the shelduck subfamily Tadorninae. It can be found in the Southern part of South America; in Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, and the Falkland Islands.

Contents 1 Habitat 2 Taxonomy 3 Breeding Habits 4 Eating Habits 5 Extra Information 6 References 7 External links

[edit] Habitat

Kelp geese inhabit areas of southern Chile, mainly in Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, and the Falkland Islands. They habitat rocky coasts around their food sources.

[edit] Taxonomy

Males are a white color, with a black beak, and yellow feet. The females are dark brown, with transverse gray lines on the chest, and yellow feet. ^{[1] [2]}

[edit] Breeding Habits

Kelp geese generally have clutches of 2-7 eggs. They prefer to hide their eggs in long grass. The eggs hatch about a month later.

There are about 15,000 breeding pairs in existence. ^[2]

[edit] Eating Habits

Kelp geese are noted for only eating kelp and will migrate along the coast of South America in order to find kelp, hence the name 'kelp geese'.

[edit] Extra Information

In the Falkland Islands and Argentina there are kelp geese stamps.

[edit] References

1. ^ "Birds of the Falken Islands: Kelp Goose". Retrieved on 2007-05-09.
2. ^ ^{a b} "Kelp Goose". Retrieved on 2007-05-09.

[edit] External links

• BirdLife International (2004). Chloephaga hybrida. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006.