Upland Goose

Commonly known as Magellanic Geese, Upland Geese (Chloephaga Picta Picta) are the most numerous of the neotropical Sheldgeese. Of the two races, the Greater Upland Geese (Chloephaga Picta Leucoptera) of the Falkland Islands are larger, with longer legs and necks, and ganders are invariably white ventrally. The smaller continental Lesser Upland Geese (Chloephaga Picta Picta) males are polymorphic, with the superior-sized morph characterized by a completely white breast and belly, and the smaller form distinctly barred black and white ventrally. Countless numbers of Lesser Upland Geese (Chloephaga Picta Picta) nest in southern Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. The largest white morph predominates in the northern portion of the breeding range, whereas the extensively barred form is more abundant in the southern forested regions. Both the breeding and wintering distribution of the two continental morphs are fairly distinct, but there is some overlap, and intermediate birds suggest that interbreeding occurs. The Falkland geese favor the open or semi-open grasslands and green pastures, often near the shore. Mainland birds seek marshes, grasslands and Andean valleys, frequently far from the coast. They graze around dwellings, even in settlements and towns. They are short-grass grazers and also consume berries and strip grass stalks in the fall. Pairs may remain together throughout the year, and normally occupy the same breeding territories of past seasons. Nests are located anywhere within territories and sometimes they are as much as five feet above the ground atop clumps of tussock grass. They begin laying as early as August in the Falklands, October is more typical. Clutches average six eggs laid over about an 11-day period. Brief feeding bouts during incubation do not preclude weight loss, and by the time goslings hatch in about a month, females have lost approximately 12 percent of their winter weight. Goslings are led by both parents to stream or ponds edges that offer good grazing and aquatic security.