Ashy-Headed Geese by Serge Ouachée, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Classification: Dinosauria, Saurischia, Eusaurischia, Theropoda, Neotheropoda, Averostra, Tetanurae, Orionides, Avetheropoda, Coelurosauria, Tyrannoraptora, Maniraptoriformes, Maniraptora, Pennaraptora, Paraves, Eumaniraptora, Averaptora, Avialae, Euavialae, Avebrevicauda, Pygostylia, Ornithothoraces, Euornithes, Ornithuromorpha, Ornithurae, Neornithes, Neognathae, Galloanserae, Anseriformes, Anseres, Anatoidea, Anatidae, Tadorninae
Referred Species: C. robusta (extinct), C. picta (Upland Goose, extant), C. hybrida (Kelp Goose, extant), C. poliocephala (Ashy-Headed Goose, extant), C. rubidiceps (Ruddy-Headed Goose, extant)
Kelp Goose by Richard Giddins, CC BY 2.0
Chloephaga may be called a group of geese, and they may look similar to geese, but they’re actually Shelducks, from the group Tadorninae! The Sheldgeese are rather odd looking birds, because they do look superficially like geese, and yet - more like ducks, and weird ducks at that. There are four living species of the Sheldgoose, as well as one extinct species, C. robusta, which is known from the late Pleistocene of South America, around 200,000 years ago, in the Chibanian age. As such, this is a rather recently appearing genus of birds, and yet, no less distinctive. Today these birds all live in South America and in the Antarctic region, carving out a unique waterfowl niche that far south.
Upland Geese by Silvia Richardson, CC BY-SA 3.0
The Upland Goose, C. picta, is a species of this group from temperate grasslands in the southernmost part of South America, with extensive populations on South Georgia Island. These birds weigh up to 3.2 kilograms, making them fairly small, and are often mistaken for ruddy-headed geese. This bird is not considered threatened with extinction.
Upland Geese by Fabienkhan, CC BY-SA 2.5
They mainly eat seeds, leaves, stems, and other plants, living in large flocks of thousands of birds grazing in one pasture together. They breed in September through November on the Falkland Islands, where males attract females through loud whistles that are responded with soft cackles. They are monogamous, and often will violently defend their territories. They nest in dense vegetation near the water, laying about 5 to 6 eggs which are incubated for a month. Upon hatching, the chicks are ready to leave the nest after a day, but are protected by their parents for a while after hatching.
Kelp Goose by 3Headeddog, CC BY-SA 3.0
The Kelp Goose is known from Southern Chile, Tierra del Fuego, and the Falkland Islands, so also the southernmost part of South America. They live on rocky coasts near sources of food, primarily kelp, hence their name. They are not considered threatened with extinction at this time. The males are white with black beaks, while the females are dark brown with spottled white and pale beaks. They lay clutches of 2 to 7 eggs, which are hidden in long grass, and hatch after about a month.
Ashy-Headed Goose by Alex Proimos, CC BY 2.0
The Ashy-Headed Goose is also known from southernmost South America, and it winters a little bit north of where it breeds, in the lowland areas. They are not threatened with extinction and they are fairly stocky birds with brown plumage and grey heads, giving it its name. The sexes look fairly similar while the juveniles look more brown. They have black primaries on white wings with a single green bar of feathers, which are only visible when the birds are flying. The males make soft whistling calls, while the females make loud cackling calls. They nest in tall grass near dam upland forests and, interestingly enough, they rarely swim.
Ruddy-Headed Goose by Arpingstone, in the Public Domain
Our last in this genus is the Ruddy-Headed Goose, a large Sheldgoose from Tierra del Fuego and the Falkland Islands. They are rare, but still not considered threatened with extinction under environmental protection groups, however it is under threat due to its small population size and restricted territory, and there are safeguards in place to preserve this bird. Farming and livestock have also threatened this bird. They are pale grey and black, with brownish feathers on the upper part of the body leading to red heads, giving it its name. They live in nests lined with grass, laying about 4 to 11 eggs, favoring damp upland forests.
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheldgoose
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upland_goose
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelp_goose
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashy-headed_goose
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruddy-headed_goose
