Fun Cotton Pygmy Goose Facts For Kids
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The cotton pygmy goose is a small duck or waterfowl that is found in south and Southeast Asia and in the northern parts of Australia. They are also known as cotton teal or white quilled pygmy goose, depending on the region they are in.
Cotton pygmy geese are the smallest type of waterfowl in the world. Even though they are both quite small, the cotton pygmy goose is very different from the African pygmy geese which are also known as mini geese. They both inhabit different continents and are also have dissimilar physical characteristics.
This species of genus Nettapus is found in areas with extensive, floating vegetation but can also be found roosting on trees. Although it is largely undocumented, the males of this species arch their necks and spread their feathers during the courtship ritual.
Researchers also believe that the broods of eggs laid by female geese might be more than the actual number due to inter-species brood parasitism.
A lot known about the history of this species due to the documentation made by the Europeans who lived in India during the 19th century. Keep reading the article for more amazing facts about the cotton pygmy goose!
If you liked this article about cotton pygmy goose facts, check out our other articles with some great facts about Radjah shelduck and common murre.
Cotton Pygmy Goose Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a cotton pygmy goose?
The cotton pygmy goose (Nettapus coromandelianus) is a type of goose bird.
What class of animal does a cotton pygmy goose belong to?
The cotton pygmy goose (Nettapus coromandelianus) belongs to the Aves class of Animal, the order Anseriformes, and the genus Nettapus.
How many cotton pygmy geese are there in the world?
The exact population of cotton pygmy geese or cotton teals in the world has not yet been calculated by scientific researchers. However, their population range and distribution are considered to be stable and not at any immediate risk of decline.
Where does a cotton pygmy goose live?
The majority of the cotton pygmy goose population is primarily found in the countries of Pakistan and India, and Southeast Asia where they have found the ideal habitat. This bird is also found in the Queensland region in Australia.
What is a cotton pygmy goose's habitat?
These birds prefer an aquatic habitat range comprising local freshwater lakes, natural wetlands, irrigation tanks, and paddy fields. They also can be found living in Australian deep lagoons.
Who do cotton pygmy geese live with?
Unfortunately, not much is really known about the social behavior of these birds, but they are generally seen to be flocking together near local natural water bodies. They are also found building a nest or roosting on a tree.
How long does a cotton pygmy goose live?
The exact lifespan of these birds has not yet been observed by scientists. However, most pygmy geese birds, including African pygmy geese, have a lifespan of about 15 years.
How do they reproduce?
The breeding and nesting season of these Nettapus genus birds occurs during the southwest monsoon season and extends from July to September. These birds establish their breeding nest in tree holes near water bodies.
Male and female birds line the nest in the tree holes with green grass, leaves, and feathers. The cotton pygmy goose female lays 6-12 eggs in one clutch per year in the nest.
What is their conservation status?
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the cotton pygmy goose or cotton teal species is listed under the category of Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List. Their population range in the world is considered to be stable enough in their aquatic habitat for this classification.
Cotton Pygmy Goose Fun Facts
What do cotton pygmy geese look like?
The plumage of the cotton pygmy goose species is primarily white in color. The goose like bill of this bird is quite dark. Their bill is also short in length. Both male and female ducks have round heads and short legs.
During the breeding season, male ducks display a blackish green colored crown on their head while there is a black mark around their neck. These ducks also have a white colored bar on their wing which female ducks do not possess. While in flight, the wings of these ducks show a bright green color with a white band.
This helps when distinguishing male cotton pygmy geese from other ducks in the surrounding regions. Their nostrils are small and oval in shape. Their hind toes have narrow lobes.
Female birds have a paler coloration and do not have any black marks. Male ducks look like females ducks during the non breeding season but can be identified with the help of their white wing bar.
How cute are they?
Cotton pygmy geese are quite cute. They are also very attractive and distinguished looking due to the unique coloring of their plumage.
How do they communicate?
Most geese use sound to communicate with each other. Cotton pygmy geese also make clucking noises while in flight in order to communicate with each other. The cotton pygmy goose call is a low noise that sounds like a 'quack'.
How big is a cotton pygmy goose?
The average size of the cotton pygmy goose species is around 10.5 in (26 cm). The bean goose is twice or thrice the size of a cotton pygmy goose duck as it can grow up to a size of 27–35 in (68.5-88.9 cm).
How fast can a cotton pygmy goose fly?
While the exact speed of cotton pygmy geese during flight has not yet been estimated, these birds are known to be fast fliers.
How much does a cotton pygmy goose weigh?
The average weight of cotton pygmy geese has been estimated to be approximately 5.5 oz (160 g).
What are the male and female names of the species?
Males of this goose species are called gander, and females are usually referred to as goose. A male cotton pygmy goose is referred to as cotton pygmy gander, while a female cotton pygmy goose is referred to as a goose. Sometimes, females of this species are also known as hens.
What would you call a baby cotton pygmy goose?
A female cotton pygmy goose lays 6-12 eggs in a year. A baby cotton pygmy goose does not have a separate name. Therefore, following the usual terminology, it is referred to as a cotton pygmy gosling.
What do they eat?
The diet of cotton pygmy geese is omnivorous in nature. This duck primarily feeds on insects and their larvae, mollusks, crustaceans, and small fishes which have abundant availability in freshwater bodies and lakes. They also feed on seeds and other plant matter. They have been known to include seeds of water lilies in their diet.
Are they poisonous?
The cotton pygmy goose is not known to be poisonous or dangerous to human beings.
Would they make a good pet?
This duck is not known for being kept as a pet, unlike other common pet birds like the lovebird. These geese are mostly found wandering in the wild in a free state.
Did you know...
Cotton pygmy goose hunting was a popular sport during the colonial period in British India, but the bird was not consumed as duck meat, unlike the Toulouse goose. Historians have also noted that the eggs of this duck were sold for food in bird markets in the Indian city of Calcutta in the 19th century.
They were also quite tame and were not afraid to roam around near people.
How did cotton pygmy geese get their name?
The cotton pygmy goose was first identified and properly described by scientist Leopold Gmelin. Europeans who had settled in South Asia also started to give this bird the name, cotton teal as it had a lot of white feathers.
Are cotton pygmy geese endangered?
No, cotton pygmy geese are not considered to be endangered according to the Red List by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, the larger pygmy goose species is considered to be a threat in Australia as their population seems to be declining.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds including northern gannet facts and sarus crane facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable cotton pygmy goose coloring pages.
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Bachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management
Moumita DuttaBachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management
A content writer and editor with a passion for sports, Moumita has honed her skills in producing compelling match reports and stories about sporting heroes. She holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management, Calcutta University, alongside a postgraduate diploma in Sports Management.
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