EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

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Ashy-headed Goose on Display

Credit & Copyright:  Dr. Bruce G. Marcot
  

Explanation:  It's hard to resist the puns here ... Goose, goose, duck! ...  This is a beautiful goose found only in the southern portion of the Southern Cone of South America, where we visited last week with two other extraordinary species of waterfowl.  This week we are viewing an Ashy-headed Goose displaying for its mate.   Males (on right) are larger than females.  They tend to differ in their vocalizations, as well.    The species appears to be in decline but not enough to warrant specific conservation concern.  Yet.       The green feathers shown here form the part of the wing called the speculum, which are part of the greater wing coverts, whereas the primaries (the main wing feathers) are black with a gloss of green.