Pygmy Geese

The pygmy geese are very small perching ducks that occur naturally in Old World tropics (Old World = Europe, Asia, Africa). They inhabit still freshwater lakes.

They are the smallest of all wildfowl.

There are three species in the genus

Description:

Pygmy geese have a rufous-colored chest, white abdomen and face, glossy-green upper plumage,and light-green sides of the neck. They have short bills, rounded heads and short legs.

Green Pygmy Geese, Nettapus pulchellus - male below

Cotton Pygmy-goose or Cotton Teal

Breeding / Nesting:

Pygmy Geese mostly nest in tree cavities.


Diet / Feeding:

Pygmy geese feed on seeds and other vegetation, particularly water lilies.

Ducks generally feed on larvae and pupae usually found under rocks, aquatic animals, plant material, seeds, small fish, snails and crabs.

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