Swan Goose (Anser cygnoides)
Species name
- Dutch name:
- Zwaangans
- English name:
- Swan Goose
- German name:
- Schwanengans
- French name:
- Oie cygnoïde
- Scientific name:
- Anser cygnoides
Scientific classification
- Order:
- Anseriformes
- Family:
- Anatidae
- Onderfamilie:
- Anserinae
- Genus:
- Anser
Description
- Description:
Male:
Upperparts are greyish-brown, with thin light fringes to the larger feathers and a maroon hindneck and cap (reaching just below the eye). The remiges are blackish, as are the entire underwing and the white-tipped rectrices, while the upper- and undertail coverts are white. A thin white stripe surrounds the bill base. Apart from darker streaks on the belly and flanks, the underside is pale buff, being especially light on the lower head and foreneck which are sharply delimited against the maroon. In flight, the wings appear dark, with no conspicuous pattern. Uniquely among its genus, the long, heavy bill is completely black; the legs and feet, on the other hand, are orange as in most of its relatives. The eyes' irides are maroon.Female:
Identical to male but smaller, with slightly shorter and less deep bill and shorter neck. Easy to tell when they are paired.Juvenile:
Are duller than adult birds, and lack the white bill base and dark streaks on the underside
Standard Measurements
- Body Length (cm):
- The male (drake) of the Swan Goose measures approximately 81-94 centimeters. The female measures approximately 81-94 centimeters.
- Body Weight (grams):
- The male will weight about 2850-3500 gram. The female will weight about 2850-3500 gram.
The weight is notoriously variable and can only be used as indication!
- Note:
Swan geese are hardy, and may be kept in mixed collections. As with other geese, a good grazing area should be available as well as a water area; they may be best kept in large field.
These geese are fairly easily to breed. Open cover for ground nesting should be provided, also a kennel or wigwam. Normally lay April to May.
Hybrids with other Anser species have been fertile, and sterile hybrids have been reported with Branta species and with Mute swan - (Cygnus olor); has also been reported to hybridise with Egyptian goose - (Alopochen aegyptiacus) and Muscovy duck - (Cairina moschata).
N.B. Swan geese appear to be particularly susceptible to Gizzard Worm Infection.
- Breeding:
- The female Swan Goose usually lays from 5-8 white eggs and incubates them for 28-30 days.
- Artificial incubating:
The ideal relative humidity for incubating most waterfowl eggs is 55% (ground nesters) and 40% (cavity nesters). The temperature is usually 37.4°C. Set ventilation as recommended by the incubator manufacturer. Eggs must be turned, either automatically or by hand, a minimum of 4 times a day. As the duckling develops there is a loss of water from the egg and the air sac gets bigger. In normal development of an egg with a 28-30 days incubation, the air sac occupies about a third of it three days earlier. Cleanliness is vital and ideally eggs should be moved to a separate hatcher at this point, where the humidity should be increased to 65% and even higher once they have pipped internally.
- Bird banding:
- Recommended closed leg band ring size for the Swan Goose is 20 mm.The leg band ring can only be applied on a young goose at around 16-18 days old.
- It doesn't matter what leg that you band, but it's good to have a consistent system. Suggested: Left leg = Female, Right leg = Male
- Maintenance food:
-
Lundi Regular with a protein content of 20%, valuable Spirulina and high-quality by-products is optimally balanced in its composition maintenance food for water ornamental fowl of all kinds. Especially green teal and Whistling ducks that are not dependent on a very high protein content, are well supplied.
Lundi Regular contains all the minerals and vitamins in full form that are important for the animals. Therefore also suitable as breeding food.
Floating full food for all sea ducks, green ducks, eider ducks and geese, especially in the moulting and breeding phase ideally suited. Packed with wholesome raw materials, natural vitamins and trace elements, this performance food with a protein content of 30% forms the basis for lifelong vitality.
- Regulation:
- No information about regulation available
Photos of the Swan Goose
