Black-fronted goose (SciiFii)

The black-fronted goose (Anser longubeccus) is a species of goose that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the open woodlands, grasslands, shrublands, scrublands, lakes, rivers, and ponds across North America to help boost biodiversity. The black-fronted goose greatly resembles the wild Asian swan goose (Anser cygnoides), with its 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. Juveniles are duller than adult birds, and lack the white bill base and dark streaks on the underside. The sexes are similar, although the male is larger, with a proportionally longer bill and neck; in fact the largest females are barely as large as the smallest males. The black-fronted goose is large and long-necked for its genus, being usually around 81–94 centimeters (32–37 inches) long and weighing 2.8–3.5 kilograms (6.2–7.7 lb) or more. Typical measurements of the wing are 45–46 cm (18–18 inches) in males, 37.5–44 cm (14.8–17.3 inches) in females; the bill is about 8.7–9.8 cm (3.4–3.9 inches) long in males and 7.5–8.5 cm (3.0–3.3 inches) in females. The tarsus of males measures around 8.1 cm (3.2 inches). The wingspan of adult geese is 160–185 cm (63–73 in). The voice is a loud drawn-out and ascending honking aang. As a warning call, a similar but more barking honk is given two or three times in short succession. The black-fronted goose is herbivorous and mainly feeds on plants such as grasses and sedges (Cyperaceae). The black-fronted breeds as single pairs or loose groups near wetlands and/or ponds/lakes, with nesting activity starting about May. The clutch is usually 6–9 but sometimes up to 13 eggs, which are laid in a shallow nest made from plants, placed directly on the ground, often on a small knoll to keep it dry. The precocial young hatch after about 28 days and become sexually mature at 2–3 years of age. Around late August/early September, the birds leave for winter quarters, where they gather in small groups to moult their worn plumage. The conservation status of the black-fronted goose is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the black-fronted goose's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii