Kelp Goose
Tanggans, males
The Tanggans ( Chloephaga hybrida ), also called Kelpgans, is a member of the family Anatidae ( Anatidae ), including ducks, geese and swans belong and is in the subfamily of half- geese ( Tadorninae ). It is a powerfully built, medium-sized goose and the only species in the family Anatidae, in which the adult male has a completely white body plumage. The females, however, resemble the female Magellan geese.
Appearance
Tanggänse reach a body length of 55 to 65 centimeters. Males show a white plumage with black beak, a white spot around the nostrils and yellow feet. The females are dark brown on the body top, have a white ring around the eyes, gray lines across the chest and over the flanks, pink beaks and also yellow feet. Your back is brown, belly and tail white. The top of the wings of the females is white, the great coverts are green, the primaries black.
Immature young birds are essentially similar to females, but have a white forehead. The rockers are still completely dark and so conspicuous in the female cross drawing in young birds was much less pronounced. Male fledglings change gradually into the white plumage dress.
At their habitat Tanggänse are thus adjusted that they have relatively short legs for a Halbgansart and have your feet sharp claws. They are thus able to move around safely on slippery by algae rock. These sharp claws already have the Dunenküken.
Not yet fully colored males can be confused with the male of the Upland Goose, because they have similar to this time, a predominantly white plumage with a striated underside. Magellan geese, however, are built less compact and have longer and mainly blackish legs.
Distribution, habitat and stock
Tanggänse live in southern Chile, on the coast of Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego and the Falkland Islands. Your breeding ground lies approximately between the ages of 50 and 42 south latitude. There, they are mainly found on rocky shores, is near its eponymous main diet consisting of brown algae ( kelp). Pastureland and small lakes near the beach are very rarely visited by the Tanggänsen. The preferred habitat of the Tanggans is steep and rocky coastline with a pronounced tidal range. During high tide, the geese resting on the shore. At low tide, they are looking at the vast Kelpfelder that are exposed to the back running water.
Currently there are around 15,000 breeding pairs worldwide. The species is not endangered. Tanggänse live in extremely inhospitable coastal areas where they have relatively infrequent contact with humans. Their habitat is subject because of its inhospitality also no change by humans. Unlike the Magellan goose the Tanggans is also not seen as a competitor for food from pets. It is also not exposed to hunting pressure, as the meat will be perceived as less tasty and the eggs as unpleasant taste.
Way of life
Tanggänse are observed predominantly in pairs or in small family troops. Only non-breeding and moulting birds also form smaller teams, which may include up to 50 animals.
The propagation time of the Tanggänse falls in the summer in the southern hemisphere. Spawning occurs during the period October to November. The nests are found usually right near the coast and are usually applied directly to the rim of the cliff. Tanggänse usually lay 2-7 eggs per clutch. The nest is preferred hiding in tall grass, to keep it hidden from predators. The Nistmulde is designed with down. It breeds only the female. The male stays in the vicinity of the nest. After about a month breeding season hatch, the young geese.
Tanggänse feed mainly on aquatic plants (including kelp) and especially of algae of the genus Ulva. In order to always find these formulas, including walks along the coast of South America are made. They also eat grass and throughout the autumn and berries.
Inside systematics
There are two subspecies. The nominate Chloephaga hybrida hybrida is found in South America. The subspecies Cloephaga hybrida malvinarum is limited in its distribution to the Falkland Islands. The males of the two subspecies are very similar. However, the females of the family lived in the Falklands subspecies have a wider and conspicuously whiter chest. The drawing on the flanks is brighter.
Others
On the Falkland Islands and Argentina there are postmarks that reflect the Tanggans.