Lincoln Park Zoo

Common name: Swan goose
Latin Name: Anser cygnoides

Class: Birds
Order:    Anseriformes

Description
The swan goose is the largest goose species, reaching up to three feet in length. It displays a white throat and a dark brown crown extending along the back of the neck to the wings. The swan goose has a black bill and a chestnut-colored chest.

Range
The swan goose can be found throughout southeastern Russia, Mongolia, China North Korea and South Korea.

Status
The swan goose is endangered because of hunting and habitat destruction. Much of the species’ breeding grounds have been lost to agriculture.

Habitat
The species lives on steppe wetlands, lakes and fast-flowing rivers.

Niche
The swan goose feeds primarily on plants, grazing on land for grasses and sedges.

Life History
Females lays 5–10 eggs, which are incubated for a month before hatching.

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