Ardea
Official journal of the Netherlands Ornithologists' Union

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Hoogerwerf A. (1959) Enkele voorlopige mededelingen over de Ekstereend, Anseranas semipalmatus, in Zuid Nieuw-Guinea. ARDEA 47 (3-4): 192-199
Up till now it was not quite certain whether the Magpie Goose, Anseranas semipalmatus, living in Dutch New-Guinea, ought to be considered as a migrant from Australia or as a breeding species. From the notes published above, it is evident that the species breeds in South New-Guinea, viz. in the neighbourhood of Merauke and on Frederik Hendrik Island, west of this area. The measurements of 25 and the weight of 12 eggs from this island and 17 eggs originating from the neighbourhood of Merauke are given, together with a short description of 4 pulli. Also the weights of 6 adult birds are published. Four nests were examined, containing 2, 5, 6 and 12 eggs, of which the clutches of 2 and 12 eggs were fresh; the nests were found far away from each other in a shallow freshwater marsh in which higher trees or shrubs were rare. During the months February till May many birds were examined of which the gonads were heavily developed, but in March many birds left the area, probably to breed on the Frederik Hendrik Island and birds were no longer seen after the beginning of the dry season (June). As the swamps recede and sufficient food is apparently no longer available. The non-breeding birds may move to areas where permanent marshes are to be found. There remains a possibility that Australian birds migrate into Dutch New-Guinea, but perhaps not into this part of the South coast, because of the fact that during the Australian winter conditions are most unfavourable in this part of New Guinea. In Australia (Northern Territories) many Magpie Geese have been banded but up till now no banded geese were found in this part of New-Guinea, but we continue to pay attention to such birds.


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