Birds
Ashy-headed Goose
Chloephaga poliocephala · also called ashy-headed geese
Grazing along the margins of southern beech forest rather than fully open ground, an ashy-headed goose carves out a different niche from its more numerous Patagonian relatives, identifiable at a glance by the pale grey head that gives it its name.
Overview
The ashy-headed goose, Chloephaga poliocephala, is a Least Concern waterfowl species native to grassland, forest, and coastal habitat across southern Chile and Argentina. Its distinctive grey head, forest-edge habitat preference, and more balanced plumage between the sexes make it one of the more ecologically distinct Patagonian geese found anywhere in southern South America.
A goose that prefers the forest edge
Where the upland goose has spread across open Patagonian grassland in huge numbers, the ashy-headed goose has instead settled into a narrower niche along the edges of southern beech forest, a habitat choice that keeps its population smaller but no less well established.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread and generally stable across suitable forest-edge and grassland habitat in southern Chile and Argentina.
Ashy-headed Goose: common questions
Why is it called the ashy-headed goose?
This species has a distinctive pale grey head and neck, a feature that gives it its common name and helps separate it from other closely related Patagonian geese.
How does the ashy-headed goose differ from the upland goose?
This species favours the margins of southern beech forest rather than fully open grassland, and is considerably less numerous than the closely related upland goose across the same general region.
Do male and female ashy-headed geese look similar?
Yes, this species shows less difference in plumage between the sexes than some related geese, with both males and females sharing a broadly similar reddish-brown and grey colouring.
Where does the ashy-headed goose breed?
This species often breeds near streams and clearings within or at the edge of southern beech forest, rather than the fully open terrain favoured by some of its close relatives.