The Swan Goose, Anser cygnoides, is a large goose with a natural breeding range in Mongolia and eastern Russia. It is migratory and winters mainly in south and east China where it is familiarly known as the Chinese Goose, and has been domesticated for centuries. Another domesticated version is the African Goose<ref>African Geese. Feathersite.com.</ref>, which has a thicker neck and heavier body. There are introduced and feral populations of this species elsewhere.

The Swan Goose is relatively small, with males weighing about 5 kg (11 lbs) and females about 4 kg (9 lbs). It has a long neck, long black bill, brown cap and pale underparts apart from some belly streaking; the upperparts are brown and the legs are orange. Sexes are similar, although the male is larger, but juveniles are duller. The voice is a loud honking. It grazes on sedges, and rarely swims. It forms small flocks outside the breeding season.

Some domesticated, introduced, or feral populations may be completely white. Some variations have a "bump" or "knob" at the top of the beak, which is more prominent on males than females. By 6–8 weeks of age, the knob is already pronounced enough that it can be used for sexing.

This is a rare goose of the steppes and mountain valleys, which breeds near marshes and other wetlands, laying 5–10 eggs in a ground nest. A female goose usually lays 50–60 eggs over the course of the breeding season (February through June), although there are reports of Chinese geese laying up to 100 eggs during that time.

The IUCN Red List has declared that the Swan Goose's population is declining due to habitat loss and hunting.

[edit] References

BirdLife International (2006). Anser cygnoides. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 10 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map, a brief justification of why this species is endangered, and the criteria used
Wildfowl by Madge and Burn, ISBN 0-7470-2201-1
[2002] “ORIGINS AND BREEDS OF DOMESTIC GEESE”, Buckland, Roger, and Guy, Gérard (ed.).: Goose Production. Rome: Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. ISBN 92-5-104862-2.de:Schwanengans