Head to head
Upland Goose vs Kelp Goose
Upland Goose
VS Kelp Goose
Both geese share southern South American and Falkland Islands habitat, but they have staked out very different feeding niches.
| Upland Goose | Kelp Goose | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Chloephaga picta | Chloephaga hybrida |
| Diet | Grasses and low-growing vegetation | Kelp and other seaweeds |
| Habitat preference | Open grassland away from the coast | Rocky shoreline |
| Sexual dimorphism | Striking, but less extreme | Among the most extreme of any waterfowl |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Increasing | Stable |
| Agricultural impact | Considered a pest in some farming areas | Not documented as a pest |
| Habitat | Grassland, coastal | Coastal |
Upland Goose vs Kelp Goose: common questions
Which one feeds mainly on seaweed rather than grass?
The kelp goose feeds this way, grazing almost entirely on kelp and other seaweeds from exposed rocks, unlike the upland goose, which grazes open grassland instead.
Which one shows the most extreme difference between the sexes?
The kelp goose shows the more extreme difference, with males almost entirely pure white and females a mottled dark grey and black, more pronounced than the upland goose's own sexual dimorphism.
Which one is more likely to be seen well away from the coast?
The upland goose is more likely to be seen inland, grazing open grassland far from the shoreline, unlike the kelp goose, which rarely strays from rocky coastal habitat.