Head to head
Ruddy-headed Goose vs Upland Goose
Ruddy-headed Goose
VS Upland Goose
Both geese share the same Patagonian genus, but their population stories could hardly be more different.
| Ruddy-headed Goose | Upland Goose | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Chloephaga rubidiceps | Chloephaga picta |
| Size | The smallest Patagonian goose | Larger, the most common Patagonian goose |
| Population status | Collapsed on the mainland, secure on the Falklands | Abundant and increasing |
| Main pressure | Predation from introduced foxes on the mainland | Considered an agricultural pest in some areas |
| Conservation status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Decreasing | Increasing |
| Head colour | A distinctive reddish-brown head and neck | Not distinctively reddish |
| Habitat | Grassland, coastal | Grassland, coastal |
Ruddy-headed Goose vs Upland Goose: common questions
Which one has collapsed on the South American mainland?
The ruddy-headed goose has collapsed there, driven largely by predation from introduced foxes, while remaining comparatively secure on the predator-free Falkland Islands, unlike the upland goose, which remains abundant on the mainland.
Which one is more numerous overall?
The upland goose is far more numerous, the most common and widespread Patagonian goose, compared with the smaller, declining ruddy-headed goose.
Which one has a distinctive reddish-brown head?
The ruddy-headed goose has this feature, a reddish-brown head and neck that gives the species its name, unlike the upland goose, which lacks this colouring.