Magpie Goose

1. Large, black-and-white plumage with black head and neck, white underparts, and orange legs.

2. Prominent knob on the crown of the head, especially in males.

3. Strongly clawed, partially webbed feet.

Magpie Geese are primarily herbivorous, feeding on aquatic plants such as wild rice, grasses, and the bulbs of spike-rush. They forage by grazing and digging with their strong bills and feet. Socially, they are unusual among waterfowl, often forming groups of one male and two females, with all adults sharing nesting and chick-rearing duties. Nests are built as simple platforms in floating vegetation or occasionally in trees. The breeding season typically runs from February to June, with clutches of up to 16 eggs if two females share a nest. The young are cared for by all adults and remain with the family group for extended periods.

Magpie Geese are widespread across northern Australia, from the Fitzroy River in Western Australia to Rockhampton in Queensland, and also occur in southern New Guinea. They are most abundant on the floodplains of the Northern Territory, including Kakadu National Park. The species prefers shallow wetlands with dense reeds and sedges and moves seasonally in response to water and food availability. During the wet season, they disperse across flooded areas to breed, while in the dry season, they gather around permanent water bodies. In recent decades, small reintroduced populations have become established in parts of New South Wales and Victoria after local extinctions in the early 2th century.

The Magpie Goose is of great cultural importance to many Aboriginal peoples, particularly in northern Australia. It is a totemic species, frequently depicted in traditional art and ceremonies, and has long been a valued food source. Customary harvesting of Magpie Geese and their eggs is governed by traditional protocols.