Ouette of the Andes

The ouette of the Andes (Chloephaga will melanopetra) also called goose or barnacle of the Andes one is anatidé of the family of the tadornes.

Description

It measures between 75 and 80 cm, its plumage are white with a rear-axle unit noirâtre. The nozzle which is very small is pink just like the legs. The female is much smaller than the male.

Habitat

As its name indicates it, she lives the Andes; from Peru until the north of Argentina and Chile. She attends the marshes and the lakes with the top of 3000 m altitude.

Biology

The ouette of the Andes lives in couples or families. The male defends the territory of nesting in a very aggressive way against possible rivals. The reproduction takes place in the neighborhoods of January, the nest is placed in a hollow close to water. After the reproduction, the birds gather in small groups. This species swims and flies rather badly, to nourish itself it grazes the vegetation at the edge of the lakes.

Populations

The population lies between 25.000 and 100.000 individuals and does not seem not threatened.

Reference

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