Nettapus pulchellus
The Green Pygmy Goose, a jewel of the Australasian wetlands, is a captivating and diminutive waterfowl, often mistaken for a true goose due to its short bill and upright posture, though it is technically a perching duck. Measuring a mere 30-36 cm in length and weighing between 250-425 grams, it is among the smallest waterfowl in its range. Its vibrant plumage, featuring glossy dark green upperparts, a striking white face and neck adorned with a mottled green 'necklace,' and finely barred flan...
Tropical and subtropical freshwater wetlands, including permanent swamps, lagoons, billabongs, and flooded grasslands, often rich in floating vegetation and emergent trees for nesting, typically at low elevations.
Mainly aquatic vegetation, including seeds, stems, and leaves of water lilies and grasses, supplemented with aquatic insects, larvae, and small crustaceans, obtained primarily by dabbling and surface gleaning.
Primarily diurnal, Green Pygmy Geese spend their days foraging actively on the water's surface, gleaning seeds, leaves, and small invertebrates, often dabbling or upending their bodies in shallow waters. They are often seen perching on branches overhanging water, a characteristic trait for perchi...
The Green Pygmy Goose has a widespread but somewhat disjunct distribution across northern and eastern Australia, New Guinea, and eastern Indonesia. In Australia, it is primarily found across the tropical northern regions, including northern Queensland, the Northern Territory, and the Kimberley re...
Least Concern
- Despite its common name, the Green Pygmy Goose is a type of perching duck, not a true goose, sharing its genus with only two other species globally. - It is one of the smallest waterfowl species in the world, often described as 'dwarf' due to its diminutive size. - This species predominantly ne...