GREEN PYGMY-GOOSE
Nettapus pulchellus
DESCRIPTION
The Green Pygmy-goose is a small and beautifully patterned waterbird of northern Australia. Males, like the bird in your photograph, have a glossy dark green neck, white cheek patches and finely patterned black and white sides. Females are less brightly coloured.
QUICK FACTS
Green Pygmy-geese live across tropical northern Australia in freshwater wetlands, billabongs, lagoons and floodplains. They are commonly found in the wetlands of Kakadu National Park, particularly where there are plenty of waterlilies and other floating vegetation.
WHERE IT LIVES
Green Pygmy-geese live across tropical northern Australia in freshwater wetlands, billabongs, lagoons and floodplains. They are commonly found in the wetlands of Kakadu National Park, particularly where there are plenty of waterlilies and other floating vegetation.
WHAT IT EATS
They mainly eat seeds, flowers and other parts of aquatic plants. Waterlilies are an important food source, and they may also eat small aquatic invertebrates.
PETE'S PHOTO STORY
The Green Pygmy-goose is one of those birds that becomes more impressive the closer you look. I photographed this male swimming quietly across the water, and the light brought out the beautiful green sheen on his neck and back. The fine patterns along his sides and the clean white cheek patches really stood out. It is a small bird, but through the lens there is an incredible amount of colour and detail.