Green pygmy goose: Difference between revisions

First described in 1842 by the ornithologist [[John Gould]], its specific name is derived from diminutive of the [[Latin]] adjective ''pulcher'' "pretty".<ref>{{cite book|author = Simpson DP| title = Cassell's Latin Dictionary | publisher = Cassell Ltd.| year = 1979|edition = 5|location = London| isbn=0-304-52257-0}}</ref> It is one of three species in the Afro-Asian genus ''[[Nettapus]]'', an ancient and unusual group of ducks. No subspecies are recognised.▼

Ranging from 30 to 36&nbsp;cm (12–14&nbsp;in) in length, it is one of the smallest species of [[duck]]. It has a 48 to 60&nbsp;cm (19–24&nbsp;in) [[wingspan]]. It has a small bill and compact form. The breeding male has a predominantly dark green back, neck and crown, white cheeks and dark green, pale grey and white scalloped underparts. The tail and primary [[flight feather]]s and primary [[Covert (feather)|coverts]] are black, while the secondary flight feathers are white. The secondary coverts are a dark iridescent green. This iridescence is lost outside of the breeding season and the [[plumage]] is duller. It exhibits [[sexual dimorphism]], the female has a barred rather than green neck and otherwise resembles the non-breeding male. Immature birds are duller, and have mottled dark brown heads.<ref name="wow">{{cite book|last=Ogilvie|first=Malcolm Alexander|coauthors=Young, Steve|title=Wildfowl of the world|publisher=New Holland Publishers|location=Sydney, NSW|year=2003|pages=72|isbn=1-84330-328-0}}</ref>▼

The male has a high-pitched whistle and the female a lower-pitched call.<ref name="wow"/>▼

The Green Pygmy Goose is found in southern New Guinea and across northern Australia (from Western Australia, through [[Northern Territory]] and into [[Queensland]]).<ref name="wow"/> To the west, it commonly reaches [[Timor-Leste]], where it possibly breeds at [[Lake Iralalara]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Trainor|first=Colin L.|year=2005|title=Waterbirds and coastal seabirds of Timor-Leste (East Timor)Timor): status and distribution from surveys|journal=Forktail|volume=21|pages=61–78}}</ref> It is largely resident, apart from dispersion in the wet season. The habitat is well vegetated lowland lagoons and other permanent fresh waters.<ref name="wow"/>▼

The Green Pygmy Goose nests in tree hollows. Eight to twelve eggs are laid and the incubation period is 26 days.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au/Animals--Plants/Australia/Walk-In-Aviary/Green-Pygmy-goose/|title=Green Pygmy Goose |date=18 March 2009 |work=Perth Zoo website|publisher=Perth Zoo|accessdate=22 February 2010|location=South Perth, WA}}</ref>▼

[[Category:Nettapus]]▼

[[Category:Birds of Papua New Guinea]]▼

[[Category:Birds of Western New Guinea]]▼

[[Category:Birds of Australia]]▼

[[Category:Birds of Western Australia]]▼

[[Category:Geese]]▼