Cotton Pygmy Goose

Males in breeding plumage have a white head, neck, and underparts, with a distinct black collar, glossy dark green back and wings, and a white patch on the outer primaries visible in flight. Females and non-breeding males are duller, grayish-brown above, with a mottled face and lack the black collar.

Extremely small size, short goose-like bill, predominantly white head and underparts contrasting with glossy dark green upperparts, and the black neck ring in breeding males.

Length: 30-37 cm, Wingspan: 56-66 cm, Weight: 250-450 g

A high-pitched, rapid cackling or whistling sound, often given in flight or when disturbed, described as a repetitive 'pip-pip-pip'.

Primarily vegetarian, feeding on seeds, shoots, and aquatic vegetation, especially water lilies (Nymphaea species), supplemented occasionally by small insects and crustaceans.

Freshwater wetlands, permanent lakes, swamps, sluggish rivers, and flooded agricultural fields with abundant floating vegetation.

Generally resident, but undergoes local nomadic movements during dry seasons or floods to find suitable water bodies.

Nests in tree cavities, hollows, or old nest boxes near water, laying a clutch of 6 to 12 eggs. Incubation is done primarily by the female.

Green Pygmy Goose (Nettapus pulchellus), which has a more barred pattern on the flanks and lacks the black neck collar; males have a distinctive green patch on the face.

Acts as a seed disperser and helps maintain aquatic plant populations through grazing, while also serving as a prey species for larger wetland predators.

IUCN Least Concern, with stable populations overall though locally impacted by wetland degradation.

Look for them resting on water lily pads or perched in dead trees near water bodies. They can be elusive and dive when disturbed rather than flying away.

Despite being called a 'goose', they are actually perching ducks closely related to dabbling ducks and possess the unusual ability to perch high up in trees.