Blue-winged Goose
NameBlue-winged Goose
Common NameBlue-winged Goose
Scientific NameCyanochen cyanoptera
FamilyAnatidae
Wingspan (cm)84
Length (cm)57.5
Weight (g)1300
Plumage DetailsThe head and neck are pale greyish-white. The body is mottled brown with darker scaling, giving a scaly appearance. The most distinctive feature is the pale blue-grey forewing coverts, which contrast with dark primaries and secondaries. The underside is whitish, and the bill and legs are black.
Vocalization / CallProduces a soft, whistling call, often described as a high-pitched 'pee-wit' or 'whee-oo'.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatswetland, grassland, mountain
Conservation Statusvulnerable
Geographic RangeEndemic to the Ethiopian Highlands in East Africa.
Identifying Featurespale greyish-white head and neck, mottled brown body, pale blue-grey wing patches, black bill and legs
Description
This medium-sized goose has a pale greyish-white head and neck, contrasting with a mottled brown body. It is characterized by distinctive pale blue-grey patches on its forewings, visible even when the wings are folded. It typically forages in high-altitude wetlands and grasslands.
