Mountain geese are one of the most remarkable and amazing species of geese. They have incredible abilities and characteristics. Most of the time these birds spend on land, and not on water, so they run well, unlike their relatives. These unusual geese are listed in the Red Book and are protected by the Russian Federation.
Spread
The name of the species itself suggests that the mountains are their favorite habitat. The largest population of mountain goose is found in Central Asia at an altitude of 5, 000 m above sea level. The banks of mountain rivers, where they equip temporary nests, choose their favorite place for birds. It should be noted that this species of birds is migratory. For the winter, birds go to India, so they have a second name - the Indian goose.
It should be noted that in recent years in Northern Europe there has been an increase in the number of species due to some individuals escaping from the zoo. Mountain geese are one of the most common captive birds. They adapt well to the influence of the external environment and are able to interbreed with other representatives of the goose genus. The total number of species totals up to 60, 000 individuals. Unfortunately, in Russia their number is only about 1, 500. Each year this figure decreases due to the constant hunting and theft of eggs.
Appearance
The mountain goose, the photo of which can be seen in this article, immediately differs from its relatives in a graceful appearance. The general color of the bird is gray, diluted with black stripes. Beak and paws are light orange. The adult is quite large.
The weight of the bird can reach 3.5 kilograms, and the body length is 75 cm. Feathered wings reach 50 cm. Unlike other species, goose males do not differ with females in size or color. The legs of the mountain goose are long and strong, thanks to this the bird walks and runs well. The voice of the mountain geese is very low, it is quite easy to distinguish it from the gagging of other species.
Behavior
It is believed that mountain geese never land on water, but this is not entirely true. These birds are not attached to water and prefer to spend all their time on land, but in case of danger, they can safely climb into the water and sail away from the coast at a fairly large distance. This view differs from others in its unique ability to fly very high. It is necessary for living in a rocky area. A case was recorded when the flight of a goose was 10170 m above the Himalayas. These birds prefer to winter in the marshy areas of India, it happened that the same individuals returned to their favorite places for several years in a row.
They are not particularly shy and very curious, so they often go to the territory of a person. But noticing that they are being hunted, the birds instantly change tactics and become very careful, preferring to get food at night and resting during the day. These amazing birds are quite social and work together, their relationship can be compared, except with human ones. If one individual is injured, the whole flock tries in every possible way to help it and does not fly apart. Before flying to a pond, birds make several circles, looking closely at the environment. This explains why mountain geese do not land on the water immediately, as it was noticed.
Breeding
The nesting period in these birds occurs quite specifically. In order to attract a female, the male plays with her in “little balls”, trying to catch up with her favorite individual in the air. It should be noted that geese nest in whole groups. Sometimes small and sometimes huge. The largest group was recorded in Tibet (mountain Tibetan goose). Nests prefer to twist in the highlands. In appearance, the nests resemble the usual “dump” of thin rods. Some birds prefer to create nests on the ground, then they dig a small depression in the moss. Usually one clutch at a mountain goose counts up to 8 white eggs. The hatching period lasts from 33 to 35 days.
All this time, the male actively protects the female and the nesting place. After hatching, the goslings are cared for by both parents. After the gosling has hatched, the geese try to take their offspring to the safest place as soon as possible, namely to the water. It is not known how goslings leave nests from a high mountain. A case of a chick falling from a twenty-five meter height was recorded. Surprisingly, he did not crash, but simply lost consciousness for a while. Goslings take to the wing at the age of seven weeks, and the first plumage appears by the 9th week of life. Of all the masonry in nature, 2–4 chicks survive.
Food
The main delicacy of the mountain goose are aquatic plants. In addition, birds eat various insects, crustaceans and small fish. If the birds settle closer to human plantations, then the main food for them becomes grain and agricultural land, which causes tremendous harm to their owners. Geese love a variety of foods, rarely when they prefer to consume the same food. Therefore, in captivity, such birds have to be additionally fed with a variety of products. Particular attention should be paid to the diet during the breeding season.
Mountain goose in the Red Book
Unfortunately, this magnificent view is on the verge of extinction. From year to year, the growing poaching and hunting of these birds is gaining disastrous proportions. The reproductive capabilities of these birds are not so great, to everything else, the density of agricultural activity in places of nesting of the goose was added.
Therefore, in the Russian Federation and India (wintering place), hunting for this endangered bird species is strictly prohibited. Most parks and reserves try to keep these birds from death as much as possible. Also, some zoos try to maximize the life of birds.
