Six geese believed to belong to the “bean goose” winter migrant species yesterday made an unexpected appearance near the Chenggong Reservoir on the outlying island of Penghu, birdwatchers from the Wild Bird Society of Penghu said.
Chou Li-chao (周麗炤) said the bean goose, or Anser fabalis, is a rare winter migrant that can be found in parts of Europe and Asia.
It has two distinct varieties; one that inhabits taiga and one that inhabits tundra. These are recognized as separate species by the American Ornithologists’ Union, but are considered a single species by other authorities, such as the British Ornithologists’ Union.
Photo: CNA, courtesy of Chou Li-chao
The goose sub-species found in Asia usually migrates to Northeast Asia during winter.
The six geese are believed to be making a stopover on Penghu before heading to Northeast Asia to spend the winter, Chou said.
The male goose resembles the female. The bill is black at the base and tip, with an orange band across the middle. The legs and feet are also bright orange and it makes a loud honking noise, Chou said.
During the spring, bean geese are found in colder areas near marshes and lakes, specifically tundra and taiga habitats.
During the winter the species frequent large fields, lakes and marshes.
Green sea turtles, as well as several rare bird species, have been detected passing through Penghu this year, including mergansers, black-faced spoonbills, Oriental storks and gray-faced buzzards, conservationists said.
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