Western Ecological Research Center
Swan Goose Migration | ||
2006 | ||
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The swan goose (Anser cygnoides) is a large goose that breeds primarily in Mongolia and eastern Russia and winters in southern and
eastern China. Introduced populations, many of which are domesticated and non-migratory occur elsewhere in Asia. The numbers of wild swan
geese have declined rapidly in the past century. Threats include habitat loss from agricultural development, dam construction, and the grazing
and cutting of marsh vegetation, as well as unsustainable levels of hunting.
Very little is known about the migration patterns of swan geese in the wild or their susceptibility to avian influenza H5N1. However, because of their small numbers and the high degree of overlap between their range and H5N1-affected areas, swan geese are a species of special concern. During late-July, 2006 scientists from U.S. Geological Survey, the Mongolian Academy of Sciences and Wildlife Science Conservation Center and in collaboration with the Korea National Science Museum, deployed 3 global positioning transmitters (GPS) on wild swan geese to facilitate satellite tracking of their movements. Molting birds were captured during their flightless period on a lake called Hachine Tsagaan Nuur in the aimag (Province) of Dornod in Dashbalbar soum (county), in northeastern Mongolia and transmitters were attached using harnesses. |
U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://werc.wr.usgs.gov/sattrack/whooperswan/swangooseindex.html
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Page Last Modified: July 21, 2008
