The Magpie goose is actually a member of a family by the name Anseranatidae. It is not really a duck or a goose as many people take it to be. This type of bird can be found in Northern Australia. This region is cold and fit for the birds with their great adapting systems in place. The magpie goose bird was usually in the coastal areas of Australia. However, due to the drastic increase in their population, the birds are moving to other areas.

Due to the pollution in the globe and the melting down of the ice where these birds thrive, they are faced by a challenge and their population has reduced drastically. This is especially with the habitat destruction. Many of the wetlands where these birds found solace as habitats have now been turned to agricultural farms leaving them homeless and reducing their capabilities of survival.

For now, the birds are been seen around many camps as well as floodplains seeking for habitats forming large colonies actually of a few birds in the respective wet seasons. They are now congregating around floodplains near camp when the dry season is experienced because they require a permanent water source for their survival. They simply cannot do without a water body mass around a particular region.

The magpie gooses have actually a black plumage especially on the head, tail and the neck with a wholesome white body. The face of the magpie goose is usually heavy holding a large knob that is located at the head top. The respective knob is larger in magpie goose males than expected for the same bird’s females. The respective knob also increases in size as the bird grows meaning that the knob is bigger when the bird is at an older age. The knob has a very important role it plays in the bird’s life. It is used to bury their face directly in the mud. This is through using the hooked beak to first dig up and get out the roots and rhizomes from the respective water plants

The magpie goose has an orange hooked beak. Their legs are also orange in color with the feet being semi-webbed. This is why the birds are more of waders rather than what they may be seen as swimmers. They also have some prominent claws right on the end of the feet toes but these do not have a particular role they play in the bird’s life.

For their diets, the magpie gooses are usually herbivorous. They normally feed on the most available herbs including bulbs, grasses and rhizomes. All these herbs are the most common down in the shallow water grounds for up to 1m. They are also common around swampy grasslands and this is usually the niche of the respective birds. For these birds, wild rice is their favorite meal. They are known to breed in revolving seasons when the water levels are high and the wild rice seed is at the peak. This is to allow a smooth period of the breeding season with the perfect environment in place and food available for greater survival.