Birds and Birding's Guide to:

Watching THE GOOSE-LIKE BIRDS

THE SWANS, GEESE, DUCKS, AND MERGANSERS

Pygmy Geese

Belonging to the same subfamily (Pleclropterince), but very different in size and appearance from those last considered, are the curious little Dwarf or Pygmy Geese (Nettopus), of which four species are known, ranging from tropical Africa and Madagascar through India and Malacca to China and Australia.

These diminutive Geese, for they are true Geese, are no larger than a small Green-winged Teal, the largest being only thirteen and one half inches in length, and the smallest but eleven and one half inches. The African species (N. auritus) is shining black-green above and mostly white below, with a white stripe along the wing, and the chest, flanks, and sides rufous, the first narrowly black barred. It is found in pairs or small flocks in the lagoons near the rivers and lakes and is rarely seen away from the water.

The Indian species (N. coromandelianus), which may be known by the white neck and a broad black band across the breast, is said by Dr. Jerdon to nest”generally in holes in old trees, often at some distance from water, occasionally in ruined houses, temples, old chimneys, and the like, laying eight or ten — sometimes, it is stated, as many as fifteen — small white eggs.”The Green Pygmy Goose (Ar. pulchellus) of Australia is reported by Gould to build a nest of dried grasses in shallow water, which, it appears, the Indian species may also occasionally do.

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