Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo - Animal Fact Sheet


BAR-HEADED GOOSE (Anser indicus)
Range:	Throughout central Asia.
Habitat:	The preferred summer habitat is high altitude lakes. In the winter, the geese migrate over the Himalayas to spend the winter in India, Northern Burma and the wetlands of Pakistan.
Diet:	Grasses, barley, rice and wheat.
Status:	Least Concern (IUCN)
Approx. Dimensions of Adult:	Length: Up to 30 inches Weight: 4 - 6 lbs.
Lifespan:	N/A
Offspring:	Lay 3-8 eggs at a time in ground nests.
The Bar-headed Goose is believed to be the highest flying bird having been seen at elevation of up to 33,382 feet. It has a slightly larger wing area for its weight than other geese. It is believed this helps the goose to fly so high. The bird is pale grey, it is easily distinguished from any of the other grey geese of the genus Anser by the character implied by its English name. It is also much paler than the other geese in this genus. In flight, its call is a typical goose honking.