Swan Goose aka Chinese Goose, or African Goose

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Swan Geese are also known as African or Chinese Geese (Anser cygnoides). Notwithstanding the name, these geese are not from Africa. They originate from China and were imported into the USA in the 19th.

Exhibition Africans or Swan Geese are impressive birds, ganders standing one meter tall. Hand-raised geese can become very confiding.

There is a great deal of variation in weight. Some varieties are quite small, reaching only 16-20 lbs, while others may weigh as much as 26 lbs.

The Swan Goose, Anser cygnoides, is a large goose with a natural breeding range in Mongolia and eastern Russia. It is migratory and winters mainly in south and east China where it is familiarly known as the Chinese Goose, and has been domesticated for centuries. There are introduced and feral populations of this species elsewhere.

It has a long neck, long black bill, brown cap and pale underparts apart from some belly streaking; the upperparts are brown and the legs are orange. Sexes are similar, although the male is larger, but juveniles are duller. The voice is a loud honking. Some domesticated, introduced, or feral populations may be completely white. Some variations have a "bump" or "knob" at the top of the beak.

This is a rare goose of the steppes and mountain valleys, which breeds near marshes and other wetlands, laying 5-10 eggs in a ground nest.

It grazes on sedges, and rarely swims. It forms small flocks outside the breeding season.

Its population is declining due to hunting.

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