A fascinating animal. Of course it isn't a goose, technically; that is, it doesn't belong to the Anser/Branta group. Its closest relative is in South America: the coscoroba swan, which isn't a swan either. Now what lost radiation of anseriforms led to that distribution?
callahanpb · 20 April 2015
When I first looked at it, I thought it was a super-sized pigeon. On closer examination, I see I'm wrong. But that was the impression I had from the feather coloration.
the.lavens · 20 April 2015
One of my bird watching highs was seeing a wild (but probably feral) Coreopsis on the SI of New Zealand. A beautiful bird. The phylogeny of the Anseriformes seems to be wonderfully counterintuitive in places, and a fascinating puzzle; in fact so fascinating I almost wish I was an evolutionary biologist rather than just an interested by stander
Kevin B · 21 April 2015
I was getting a persistent nudge of familiarity from this image.
The green and black looks almost like its got a small hawk's head attached to its face.
Now what lost radiation of anseriforms led to that distribution?
Wikipedia says it can drink salt water, which would allow it to make long distance oceanic crossings. But then again, this particular wiki page has some wierd turns of phrase and other wonkiness so doesn't look to me to be too trustworthy.
John Harshman · 21 April 2015
The early branches of Anseriformes have a predominantly Gondwanan distribution. I'm wondering if the relevant fossils are all buried under a mile or two of ice, and all we're seeing today are a couple of relicts.
6 Comments
John Harshman · 20 April 2015
A fascinating animal. Of course it isn't a goose, technically; that is, it doesn't belong to the Anser/Branta group. Its closest relative is in South America: the coscoroba swan, which isn't a swan either. Now what lost radiation of anseriforms led to that distribution?
callahanpb · 20 April 2015
When I first looked at it, I thought it was a super-sized pigeon. On closer examination, I see I'm wrong. But that was the impression I had from the feather coloration.
the.lavens · 20 April 2015
One of my bird watching highs was seeing a wild (but probably feral) Coreopsis on the SI of New Zealand. A beautiful bird. The phylogeny of the Anseriformes seems to be wonderfully counterintuitive in places, and a fascinating puzzle; in fact so fascinating I almost wish I was an evolutionary biologist rather than just an interested by stander
Kevin B · 21 April 2015
I was getting a persistent nudge of familiarity from this image.
I think I was recalling
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_C-130_Hercules
eric · 21 April 2015
John Harshman · 21 April 2015
The early branches of Anseriformes have a predominantly Gondwanan distribution. I'm wondering if the relevant fossils are all buried under a mile or two of ice, and all we're seeing today are a couple of relicts.