Chloephaga rubidiceps
The Ruddy-headed Goose (Chloephaga rubidiceps) is a distinctive and highly threatened species of waterfowl endemic to southern South America. It is easily identified by its striking rufous-chestnut head and neck, which contrasts sharply with its pale grey body and finely barred black-and-white flanks. Adults typically measure between 45-50 cm in length and weigh 2-2.5 kg, with males and females sharing similar plumage, though females are often slightly smaller. Its bright orange legs and blac...
Found in open, low-lying short-grass tussock grasslands, coastal plains, and occasionally cultivated pastures, typically at elevations below 500 meters.
Primarily herbivorous, their diet consists almost exclusively of short grasses, sedges, and other herbaceous vegetation obtained by grazing.
Ruddy-headed Geese are diurnal, spending their days actively foraging in open grasslands and often roosting communally on the ground, frequently near water for enhanced safety. They are highly specialized grazers, using their strong bills to precisely clip short grasses and sedges. During the bre...
The Ruddy-headed Goose has a severely disjunct breeding distribution, with one population breeding in southern Patagonia (Chubut, Santa Cruz, and Tierra del Fuego provinces) in Argentina, and a distinct, resident population found on the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas). The mainland breeding bir...
Endangered
- The mainland South American population is considered critically endangered, facing severe threats from introduced predators and habitat degradation. - Unlike many waterfowl, they are highly terrestrial, spending most of their time on land rather than in water. - Males perform a unique head-pump...