Magpie Goose
Anseranas semipalmata
Habitat
Ground
Diet
PlantSeed
Active Time
Diurnal
Size
2.4 kg
About This Species
A distinctive, long-legged waterbird of northern Australian and New Guinean floodplains and wetlands, often seen in large, noisy flocks feeding on the ground for wild rice, sedge bulbs and other wetland plants. The black and white plumage, bare red facial skin and partly webbed feet are unmistakable, and flocks are most conspicuous around dawn and dusk when they move between feeding grounds and roosts. The wet season floodplains that flood seasonally hold the largest concentrations.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Large flocks are sensitive to disturbance at feeding and roosting sites, so viewing from a vehicle, hide or a clear distance on foot is preferable to walking directly toward a group.
- Many of the floodplains it depends on are protected wetlands or Indigenous-managed land with their own access rules, which should be followed.
- General wildlife protection law across its Australian range restricts disturbance of native birds, particularly during breeding when large colonies can be especially vulnerable.
LCAvesAnseriformesAnseranatidae
Seasonal Activity
167,055 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Family
- Anseranatidae
Traits
- Diet
- PlantSeed
- Foraging
- Ground
- Activity
- Diurnal
- Body mass
- 2.4 kg
Photo
(c) Graham Winterflood, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Graham Winterflood
CC-BY-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.