CRITICALLY ENDANGERED: Pygmy geese are easily recognized by their white “forehead patch” and a striated belly. Photo: Ingar J. Øien/Environment Directorate
The pygmy goose is Norway’s most endangered bird, but this year it has had more young than ever before: – A fantastic news, which both surprises and delights.
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The pygmy goose is the most endangered bird in Norway. This year has been the breeding year of all time. A total of 137 birds, including 83 chicks, of the critically endangered pygmy goose have been registered this year. The species was placed on the Norwegian Red List in 2006, as critically endangered. view more
Do you remember Finn the dwarf goose?
– He also had four cubs this year, says director Ellen Hambro of the Norwegian Environment Agency.
– This is fantastic news, which both surprises and greatly pleases after many decades of low young production. This year, the critically endangered pygmy goose has had the nesting year of all time, she says.
The geese’s breeding year starts around May/June and lasts until August/September.
The female lays four to six eggs which are incubated for 25–28 days.
A total of 137 birds, including 83 chicks, of the critically endangered pygmy goose have been registered this year.
It is more than ever, since the monitoring of the bird started in 1990. It is also a big contrast to previous years.
In 2020 one cub was registered, in 2021 four cubs were registered and in 2022 seven cubs were registered.
DVERGGÅSA FINN: Finn from Finnmark is the GPS brand. He is among the birds being monitored. Photo: Tomas Aarvak/Environment Directorate
Dramatic decline
The pygmy goose was a common bird species in northern Norway until the middle of the last century, with a breeding population of around 10,000 individuals.
Later, a dramatic decline followed, as a result of massive hunting, both in Norway and along the migration routes.
In the period from 2000–2023, there have been only 20–35 pairs, and all hold
to a small breeding area in Finnmark.
– Since this is the only remaining breeding area in Europe,
do we in Norway have a special responsibility to take care of this stock, Hambro continued.
May become extinct in a few years
The dwarf goose is the smallest of the grey-brown geese. It has the status of “critically endangered”.
The species may be extinct in a few years, but this year the Norwegian Environment Agency brings good news.
The species was placed on the Norwegian Red List in 2006, as critically endangered. The breeding bird also has the status of globally threatened.
BIRDS OF BREEDING: The pygmy goose is critically endangered. Photo: Tomas Aarvak/Environment Directorate Published:
Published: 30.08.23 at 23:23
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2023-08-30 21:23:37
#Endangered #animal #species #babies
