Cereopsis novaehollandiae grisea

Cereopsis novaehollandiae grisea
Conservation status
Vulnerable  (EPBC Act)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Anseriformes
Family:	Anatidae
Genus:	Cereopsis
Species:	C. novaehollandiae
Subspecies:	C. n. grisea
Trinomial name
Cereopsis novaehollandiae grisea Vieillot, 1818 [2]

The Recherche Cape Barren goose (Cereopsis novaehollandiae grisea), also known as the Cape Barren goose (southwestern), is large grazing bird found along the southern coast of Western Australia. It is a subspecies of the Cape Barren goose, the other subspecies of which inhabits islands and coastal regions of Bass Strait in south-eastern Australia. It is distinguished by its larger size and variant colouring.

Distribution and habitat

The subspecies is found on the beaches, pasture, rocky areas, and islands of the Recherche Archipelago, which is its only breeding site. It also visits Pink Lake and Red islet. The Cape Arid, Stokes, and Cape Le Grand National Parks are also occupied in summer months.

Behaviour

The geese feed by grazing and rarely swim. Nesting takes place mainly on the larger scrub-covered islands of the Archipelago, notably Cull Island.^[3]

Status and conservation

Historically the population of the western subspecies was about 1000 individuals, declining in the early 1990s, with the current population considered stable. Its relative rarity of the subspecies makes it vulnerable to extinction.^[4]

References