Chloephaga picta, commonly known in English as the Upland Goose or Magellan Goose, is a characteristic waterfowl native to the southern cone of South America. Locally recognized in Spanish as cauquén común, caiquén, or ganso de Magallanes, this species is widely distributed across Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, and the Falkland/Malvinas Islands.
It naturally inhabits open environments such as grasslands, coastal plains, steppe landscapes, and wetlands, often grazing in meadows near water. Well adapted to the cold, windy climates of southern latitudes, the species has also shown remarkable adaptability to human presence. Because of this, it is quite common to see them grazing calmly within peri-urban and even urban areas, including the city of Ushuaia. While many populations remain in these southern regions year-round, some migrate northward to escape the harshest winter months.
Highly terrestrial and primarily herbivorous, Upland Geese spend the majority of their day feeding on short grasses, shoots, leaves, and seeds. They are frequently seen in pairs or small family groups and are known for forming strong bonds, generally mating for life. During the breeding season they nest on the ground; the female incubates the eggs while the highly territorial male remains nearby to actively defend the area. The species also exhibits strong sexual dimorphism: males feature brilliant white heads and breasts with black-barred flanks, whereas females display a rich reddish-brown plumage with darker barring that allows them to blend into the grassy landscape.
• Upland goose, Magellan goose
• Cauquén común, caiquén, ganso de Magallanes
Scientific classification:
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Anseriformes
Family:Anatidae
Genus:Chloephaga
Species:C. picta
Male specimen
Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Camera: Canon EOS 750D / Rebel T6i / Kiss X8i
Lens: Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary
Capture Information:
Focal Length: 361.0 mm
Shutter Speed: 1/500
Aperture: f/6.3
ISO: 1250
Photo Taken: April 19, 2022
High resolution
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