Bar-headed Goose - Five Sisters Zoo

The Bar-headed goose is named for the black stripes of feathers across the top of their head, with black feathers also present on the neck and across the body, interspersed with white and grey feathers. Bar-headed geese mate for life and live together in family groups, sometimes several groups living in one flock. Their migratory pattern regularly takes them over the top of Mount Everest.

Diet: Herbivore; grasses, plants and some agricultural grazing.

Length: 78cm

Weight: 3-4kg

Wingspan: 140-160cm

Habitat: High mountain lakes in central Asia during the summer months, with a migration pattern taking it from India and over the Himalayas during the colder months.

Life Span: 20 years

Adapted to Survive

Lungs have evolved to cope with extended flights at high altitude; blood composition differs from other birds to adjust for altitude

Threats

Human-wildlife conflict; hunting

IUCN Conservation Status

Least Concern

< Back to list

© Copyright 2024 Five sisters Zoo