The upland Goose is a very common bird in the extreme south of South America. It is found on both sides of the Andes mountain range, in Chile and Argentina. In Chile it is distributed from the Santiago mountain range to the south of Tierra del Fuego and Cape Horn, being more scarce towards the north.
It presents a very marked sexual dimorphism; males have a white neck, chest and abdomen and a grayish back and wings, as well as black legs. Females have a reddish neck, yellow legs and whitish gray wings and back.
It is common to observe them in pairs or forming large flocks of family groups, especially during winter. During the reproductive period they are very territorial and aggressive. It inhabits open sectors such as steppes, grasslands, sparse scrub, coasts and wetlands, and they feed on herbaceous and aquatic plants. It is common to distinguish them from a distance by their vocalization in the form of whistles.
Photos: Pía Vergara @piavergarafotografia
Text: Nicolás Lagos @nicolagos_s