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Magpie Goose

(Anseranas semipalmata)
: "Pied Goose", "Black-and-white Goose", "Semi-palmated Goose", "Wild Goose"

Aboriginal name(s): "ngaRuwaRa" [yartwatjali]; "muldrie"
Size: 75-100 cm (male), 70-80 cm (female); wing span 1.5-1.6 m
Weight: 1.4-3.2 kg

Description

Classification

Distribution

Sightings

Photos

Breeding

Nest

Eggs

Behaviour

Food

Call/s

Physical description

Click here for physical description of this species Click here for a physical description

Magpie Geese are large black-and-white pied geese with long necks and orange legs. Most of the body plumage is white, with black wing, neck and tail feathers. The face has the colour of skin; the slightly hooked bill is also skin-coloured, with a grey tip. The feet are partly webbed (hence the name "semi-palmated"). Males are somewhat larger than females and have a bigger knob on their heads. Juveniles have grey patches where adults are solid-white and they lack the cranial knob. Magpie goslings are all-grey. Only when very young their heads are rufous.

Taxonomy, classification

See Magpie Goose at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species

Click here for information on habitat and range

The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org .

The global distribution of the Magpie Goose is available HERE .

Previously found along most of the coastlines of Australia, the range of Magpie Geese has since European settlement been greatly reduced. At present they are mostly found in the northern tropics, from about the Kimberley in WA via the Top End of the NT, the South end of the Gulf of Carpentaria, all of Cape York peninsula and along the eastern coastline and hill ranges of QLD. Occasionally (see below) they can also found West of the Great Dividing Range, inland QLD, northern and central inland NSW and into VIC.

Magpie Geese are often found in densely vegetated swamps, usually along flooded rivers, lakes and billabongs.

Sightings

Click here for sighting information

We saw large numbers of Magpie Geese in the Northern Territory, especially in mudflats and billabongs, in and around Kakadu NP, in October 1997.

Contributors report spotting Magpie Geese regularly in various locations of the Top End of the NT, e.g. in the flood plains of the East Alligator River at Yellow Water billabong, Kakadu NP, NT.

J. Greaves reports spotting Magpie Geese at the Kununurra, WA, sewage treatment works in January 2016.

D. Johnston reports spotting Magpie Geese near Baradine, NSW, in 1983.

Contributors report that Magpie Geese are regularly found in central and southern QLD, both on the coastal side and on the western side of the Great Dividing Range.

A small population of Magpie Geese established itself at Narrabri Lake, Narrabri, NSW, from 2008 onwards, starting with 7 birds. In the summer of 2013/14, 78 birds were counted, just before the whole flock disappeared when the lake ran dry. The first 4 birds returned in March 2014, just 2 days after the end of a major rain event. In 2015 up to 150 birds were counted at Narrabri Lake, where they were also found to be breeding at the time. They bred there successfully again in several seasons since.

In December 2022, we found a single pair of Magpie Geese with their 6 goslings in a swamp at Yarrie Lake, near Wee Waa, NSW.

C. Hayne reports that Magpie Geese are always found in a bend along the Mehi River in the township of Moree, NSW, mostly during spring. They are usually found in small groups of up to 30 birds. While absent throughout 2013, Magpie Geese were found all throughout 2014, with a maximum of about 100 found in mid-November 2014. Hundreds of Magpie Geese were found regularly in the Gwydir Wetlands, 60 km West of Moree, NSW, where they also bred throughout 2010-2012. Magpie Geese have also been seen by C. Hayne in Goondiwindi, QLD, in flocks of hundreds.

In the 2016 breeding season, after record winter rainfall, Magpie Geese could be found in wetlands all along the western side of the Great Dividing Range, e.g. near Gilgandra, Warren and Condobolin, NSW.

R. Plumtreereports spotting Magpie Geese on Bool Lagoon Game Reserve, SA, between Mt. Gambier and Naracoorte, where they are possibly introduced, in October 2016.

M. Mearns reports finding Magpie Geese in various areas of western QLD, especially in the tropics, regularly.

M. Eaton reports finding Magpie Geese at Horseshoe Lagoon, Hodel Lagoon, Hodel Road, Burdekin, QLD, in September 2020, where they were nesting at the time.

Photos

ADULT

MALE

Frontal portrait of a male(?) Magpie Goose
[Kakadu NP, NT, October 1997]

Magpie Geese at Narrabri Lake; probably a male bird at the centre and two females left and right
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, October 2008]

FEMALE

Close-up frontal view of a female(?) Magpie Goose on water (photo courtesy of J. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, July 2014]

Frontal view of a female Magpie Goose on water (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, July 2014]

This frontal view of a female Magpie Goose clearly shows the half-webbed ("semi-palmated") feet (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Wynnum, QLD, December 2017]

Near-lateral view of a female Magpie Goose
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, August 2013]

Lateral view of a female Magpie Goose
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, December 2010]

Lateral view of a female Magpie Goose stretching its wings
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, December 2010]

Lateral view of a female(?) Magpie Goose paddling away
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, September 2010]

Near-dorsal view of a female Magpie Goose (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, March 2021]

Dorsal view of a female(?) Magpie Goose
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, September 2010]

PAIR

In the case of the Magpie Goose, the definition of "pair" must not be taken literal to mean two birds, because males can have two females.

Magpie Geese at Narrabri Lake; probably a male bird at the centre and two females left and right
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, October 2008]

Sex unknown

Magpie Geese on the edge of a billabong (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Kakadu NP, NT, November 2014]

Magpie Geese on the edge of an ephemeral wetland (photo courtesy of D. Johnston)
[Near Baradine, NSW, 1983]

Magpie Geese together with Radjah Shelducks and Grey Teals (photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Karumba, QLD, September 2019]

Lateral view of a Magpie Goose in gliding flight (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, June 2021]

Lateral/ventral view of a Magpie Goose in flight, with a clear view of its underwing pattern
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, June 2015]

Near-dorsal view of a Magpie Goose just after take-off
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, September 2013]

Lateral view of a landing flock of Magpie Geese (photo courtesy of R. Druce)
[Goondiwindi, QLD, February 2013]

In this dorsal view of a landing Magpie Goose one can see clearly the "semi-palmated" (half-webbed) feet
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, March 2013]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Lateral view of a juvenile Magpie Goose; note the absence of a knob (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Knuckey Lagoon, Darwin, NT, August 2018]

Lateral view of a juvenile Magpie Goose (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Knuckey Lagoon, Darwin, NT, August 2018]

Near-dorsal view of a juvenile Magpie Goose, centre, in comparison with two adults (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Knuckey Lagoon, Darwin, NT, August 2018]

Adult Magpie Geese, right, with two juveniles on the left (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Fogg Dam CR, NT, July 2018]

Magpie Geese, in part juveniles with mottled grey-brown fronts, together with a Royal Spoonbill in non-breeding plumage (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[McMinns Lagoon, near Darwin, NT, September 2018]

Lateral view of juvenile Magpie Geese at about half the size of adult birds
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, January 2011]

Frontal view of a Magpie Goose with 4 goslings (photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Port Douglas, QLD, January 2019]

Near-dorsal view of Magpie Geese with goslings (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Black Duck Reserve, Murrumba Downs, near Brisbane, QLD, September 2017]

Near-dorsal view of two Magpie Goose goslings
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2010]

Near-dorsal view of a female Magpie Goose with 8 goslings (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Lagoon Creek, Narrabri, NSW, September 2021]

Dorsal view of a female Magpie Goose with two chicks on the retreat after being disturbed
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2010]

Lateral view of a female Magpie Goose with a young chick
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, October 2010]

Lateral view of adult Magpie Geese with three small chicks
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, October 2010]

This family of Magpie Geese with very young chicks was observed when the first autumnal cold change of the season hit the area and other aquatic birds had already moulted into their non-breeding plumages
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, March 2012]

Breeding information

Breeding season: Mar - May Eggs: 6 - 9 Incubation period: 23 - 28 days Fledging age: 21 - 28 days

The breeding season of Magpie Geese depends on geographical latitude and weather conditions. In the tropical North of the continent they breed after the end of the rainy season, in the South-east typically in spring, but possibly any time after substantial rainfall.

Male Magpie Geese can have several females lay eggs in their nests.

Nest building: Male(?) Incubation: Male & females Dependent care: Females & male

Nest
"bungobittah", "lar", "malunna", "jindi" [bundjalung] = nest [Aboriginal]

Type: Basket Material: Trampled reeds, grass, sedges, rushes Height above ground: N/A

Nests are trampled platforms above shallow water, with some extra vegetation laid on top.

Female Magpie Goose on its nest (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Wynnum, QLD, December 2017]

Closer view of a female Magpie Goose on its nest (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Wynnum, QLD, December 2017]

Female Magpie Goose on its nest (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Horseshoe Lagoon, Hodel Road, Burdekin, QLD, September 2020]

Eggs
"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "mirk", "ngampu", "nooluk", "pateena", "pum-pum" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal]; "gawu" = eggs [gamilaraay]

Size: 74 x 50 mm Colour: Creamy-white, later stained brownish Shape: Tapered oval

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal Mobility: Nomadic/dispersive Elementary unit: Flock

Note that Magpie Geese, although mainly aquatic birds, do not rest in water overnight. Instead, they roost in high trees, typically River Red Gums or other eucalypts, often along watercourses.

Magpie Geese going to roost (photo courtesy of R. Russell)
[Hasties Swamp, near Atherton, QLD, January 2012]

Magpie Geese settling in for the night in trees on a small island in a fresh water lake
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, July 2014]

Magpie Geese resting during the day in shallow water in a fresh water lake
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, June 2016]

We have observed the mother Magpie Geese sending their chicks out onto open grassland for grazing.

Magpie Geese "nursery" moving on
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, October 2016]

This shot shows a small flock of Magpie Geese living in the shallow water of a freshwater lake, resting on mudflats and shielded from observers by reeds; the photo was taken from an elevated position in a tree about 50 m away
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, April 2013]

Small flock of Magpie Geese sheltering from high wind (photo courtesy of M. Windeyer)
[Gilgandra, NSW, October 2016]

For reasons unknown to us, this Magpie Goose is being harassed by an Australian Magpie (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Carrara, Gold Coast, QLD, February 2015]

Food, Diet

Like all other geese, ducks and swans, Magpie Geese are vegetarian. Magpie Geese feed on underwater plants. Note that the chicks seen above were sent out to graze on grass in a park.

Magpie Geese that have just been digging in mud for food (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gatton, QLD, August 2017]

Magpie-Geese feeding in shallow water
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2012]

Magpie-Geese feeding in submerged grassland
[Fogg Dam CR, NT, August 2014]

Magpie Geese not only live on water and feed under water - they also drink the wet stuff...
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, April 2011]

Call(s)/Song

For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The interpretation of their meaning is our own; comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

maggoos_20200525.m4a	(NW NSW)	Warning calls	© MD
maggoos_20151015_2.m4a	(NW NSW)	Warning calls (flock)	© MD
maggoos_20151015_3.m4a	(NW NSW)	Warning calls (flock)	© MD
maggoos_20170626.m4a	(NW NSW)	Warning calls (flock)	© MD
maggoos_20170626_2.m4a	(NW NSW)	Warning calls (flock)	© MD

More Magpie Goose sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

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