Common name: Magpie Goose
Scientific name: Anseranas semipalmata
Family: Anseranatidae

Size:
Body length: 70–90 cm
Wingspan: 150–180 cm
Weight: 2–3 kg

Identification:
A large, distinctive waterbird with striking black-and-white plumage. The head, neck, and upper breast are black, while the body and wings are mostly white with black patches. It has a relatively small head, long legs, and a unique knob-like structure on the top of the head, especially noticeable in adults. The bill is pale and slightly hooked.

Habitat:
Freshwater wetlands, floodplains, marshes, and lagoons. Prefers shallow water with abundant vegetation.

Status in the UAE:
Not native. Occasionally recorded as an escapee from captivity rather than a naturally occurring species.

Diet:
Herbivorous — feeds mainly on grasses, aquatic plants, and seeds.

Behavior:
Highly social and often seen in flocks. Feeds by grazing on vegetation in shallow water or on land. Strong flier and capable of long-distance movements in its native range. Known for loud, honking calls.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)