Fun Sebastopol Goose Facts For Kids
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The name Sebastopol became famous after the goose was exhibited in England in the year 1860. It was known as the Danubian goose in the 19th century. They are native to Europe and have curly feathers all over their body.
This is a rare feature observed in geese. These birds were initially reared to make pillows however now they are reared for ornamental purposes. This breed has been facing a steady decline in population due to low fertility in breeding members.
They are one of the most prolific geese and lay 25-35 eggs on average. These birds are the top picks in poultry farming due to their tasty meat. They are rare and costlier than other breeds.
Continue reading to find out some fun facts about the Sebastopol goose and do check out our other articles on snow goose and nene goose.
Sebastopol Goose Interesting Facts
What type of animal are Sebastopol geese?
Sebastopol goose also known as a sebby is a type of bird belonging to the gray geese genus.
What class of animal do Sebastopol geese belong to?
The Sebastopol goose is a part of the Aves class of the Animalia kingdom.
How many Sebastopol geese are there in the world?
The exact population size of this breed of birds is not known. They are on the verge of extinction and only a few individuals are present. One of the main reasons for the decline in population is rearing them for meat and a low fertility rate.
Where do Sebastopol geese live?
The Sebastopol goose is imported from England and found in many places including Southeastern Europe, the Black sea, and United States.
What is Sebastopol goose's habitat?
In recent years Sebastopol goose is mostly found in domestic poultry farms. Their natural habitat is the savanna regions and grasslands. It breeds in elevated places and also dwells in areas next to lakes and ponds.
They enjoy living in water sources. These birds have lightly built feathers that do not provide much warmth in cold weather. Hence they stay indoors or in well-sheltered areas during cold seasons.
Who do Sebastopol geese live with?
They live together in groups called gaggles. The name was given due to the loud noises they make as a group and the unruly behavior within the group.
The gaggle or group consists of one dominating male and two to three sentries. The work of a sentry is to look out for predators while others are feeding or incubating. The roles are switched from time to time.
How long do Sebastopol geese live?
The Sebastopol geese's lifespan is generally 25 years. However, they live longer, up to 30 years under proper care.
How do they reproduce?
The Sebastopol goose reproduces by laying eggs. The breeding season is between February and April. Generally, one male can mate with three or four females.
They lay around 25-35 eggs. The eggs are large and white. The eggs of this breed are twice the size of other duck eggs.
After about a month the eggs hatch. The adult Sebastopol geese are very good parents that care a great deal for the goslings. The goslings tag along with the parents after hatching.
They have poor brooding skills hence the fertility rate is just 45 percent in this breed. Artificial insemination is also done in Europe. Cutting a few extra-long and curly feathers at the back and providing a clean swimming area might increase the fertility rate.
What is their conservation status?
The conservation status of the Sebastopol goose breed is Endangered as per the IUCN Red List. Their population size has been decreasing due to high meat consumption and infertility.
Sebastopol Goose Fun Facts
What do Sebastopol geese look like?
Two variations are observed in the Sebastopol geese colors. They are either pure white or have buff gray plumage mixed with white feathers. The white Sebastopols are the most famous ones due to the bright blue eyes which complement other features. They have orange webbed feet.
The neck is slightly bent and the bill is orange. This breed has large circular heads. The grey, buff-colored Sebastopol goose has brown eyes.
The feathers are soft and smooth. Based on the breast feathers they are categorized as smooth-breasted Sebastopols and curly breasted Sebastopol. They have feathers all over the body, wings, and tails which can grow long enough to sweep the ground. Goslings have a gray plumage on the neck feathers.
How cute are they?
They are one of the most attractive goose breeds. They are specifically reared for ornamental and exhibition purposes. The curly feathers and blue eyes never go unnoticed and receive a lot of compliments.
How do they communicate?
The Sebastopol goose, also known as the Danubian goose is a very quiet breed. It makes low-pitched oink or other soft noises. Males are slightly louder than females. The goslings emit low-pitched quacks. Sebastopol's avoid making unnecessary, loud honk-like noises.
How big are Sebastopol geese?
Sebastopols are medium sized geese. They can measure 23.6 - 50 in (60-120 cm) and can be even larger as their feathers grow.
How fast can Sebastopol geese fly?
Sebastopols are not good flyers. Though they retain some flight qualities they still can't fly often or at greater heights due to the presence of feathers all over the body. The chances of this breed taking off or covering a short distance are bleak.
How much do Sebastopol geese weigh?
Male sebastopols are slightly heavier than the females. The weight of a male is approximately 12-14 lb (5.5-6.5 kg) and the weight of a female is around 10-12 lb (4.5-5.5 kg). It is two times the weight of a bean goose.
What are their male and female names of the species?
Just like all other species, the females of the Sebastopol breed are also called geese, and males are called ganders. A group of geese is called a gaggle.
What would you call a baby Sebastopol goose?
Baby Sebastopol geese are called goslings.
What do they eat?
Sabastopols are omnivores.They consume grains, seeds, insects, and grasses. They are hunted by many animals including stray dogs, wolves, foxes, rats, raccoons, bobcats, and coyotes. Due to the bright colors and fluffy feathers, they are not capable of hiding and can be easily spotted from afar, which makes them a target.
Are they dangerous?
Not at all. The temperament of the Sebastopol geese is docile. This breed is extremely friendly.
They are shy but can mingle well if they are reared from a very young age. They are very rarely aggressive when they sense danger. The Sebastopol goose is very protective of the goslings and can get angry when strangers are found close to them.
Would they make a good pet?
Raising Sebastopol geese is not a tedious job. They would be great pets. Due to its docile nature, this bird breed is considered one of the best picks in poultry farming. However, they are very expensive and might need a bit of maintenance.
Due to the messy and curly feathers, they have to be cleaned quite often, unlike other waterfowl. These birds also require clean swimming space for healthy egg production. Egg production in captivity can sometimes be less.
Did you know...
The feathers of such breeds are loosely packed. So, despite being fluffy, they are often cold when left in open grasslands or savannahs.
Several Sebastopol geese breeders and Sebastopol geese hatcheries are common in England.
Sebastopol geese eggs
The Sebastopol goose breeds between February and April. It might lay two to three clutches of eggs per year. The number of eggs produced per year can vary. They can lay 25 to 35 eggs on average. Sometimes the production can be as high as 40 eggs. The eggs are quite large and white in color.
Why are they called Sebastopol geese?
The name Sebastopol was given to this breed as they were initially imported from the Russian city, Sebastopol. This breed was recognized by the American Poultry Association in 1938.
In England, they were also popularly known as Danubian geese during the 19th century. This name was given as they were constantly found in regions close to the Dunabe river in Europe. Amidst Germans, this breed is known as Lockengans, referring to the locks in the feathers.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these muscovy duck facts and magpie goose facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Sebastopol goose coloring pages.
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Martha is a full-time creative writer, content strategist, and aspiring screenwriter who communicates complex thoughts and ideas effectively. She has completed her Bachelor's in Linguistics from Nasarawa State University. As an enthusiast of public relations and communication, Martha is well-prepared to substantially impact your organization as your next content writer and strategist. Her dedication to her craft and commitment to delivering high-quality work enables her to create compelling content that resonates with audiences.
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