South Island goose
Cnemiornis calcitrans Owen, 1865
New Zealand goose
South Island goose South Island goose (Cnemiornis calcitrans). Image 2006-0010-1/27 from the series 'Extinct birds of New Zealand'. Masterton, December 2004. Image © Purchased 2006. © Te Papa by Paul Martinson.
See Te Papa website: https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/710928
New Zealand goose
Species information
The South Island goose was a large goose whose closest living relative is probably the Cape Barren goose. It was one of two closely-related New Zealand geese species, and was larger than its North Island cousin. It was flightless with much reduced wings, and had a modified second toe which formed a spur and may have been used for fighting.
Identification
The South Island goose was a very large bird. At 18 kilograms and standing 1 metre tall, it would have been as large as some of the smaller species of moa, and considerably larger than the closely-related North Island goose. It was terrestrial, flightless and had short wings and a shortened tail
Distribution and habitat
South Island geese occurred widely throughout South Island grassland and scrubland habitats. They were most numerous in the drier eastern regions, including coastal and central Otago, where these habitats were more common.
Population
South Island geese were probably never numerous due to their preference for grassland habitats, which were of limited extent in primeval New Zealand.
Threats and conservation
Due to their large size and flightlessness, South Island geese were much hunted by early Polynesian settlers. Their remains are widespread in midden deposits. Over-hunting is the most likely cause of their extinction, which occurred long before European arrived in New Zealand.
Behaviour and ecology
South Island geese are thought to have relatively good eyesight, possibly in response to predation pressure from Haast’s eagle.
Food
The South Island goose was a browser of grasses and plants from grassland habitats. It had a robust bill with a squared-off end, well-suited to cropping short grassland swards.
Websites
References
Tennyson, A.; Martinson, P. 2006. Extinct birds of New Zealand. Wellington, Te Papa Press.
Worthy, T.H.; Holdaway, R.N. 2002. The lost world of the moa. Christchurch, Canterbury University Press.
Worthy, T.H.; Holdaway, R.N.; Sorenson, M.D.; Cooper, A.C. 1997. Description of the first complete skeleton of the extinct New Zealand goose Cnemiornis calcitrans (Aves: Anatidae), and a reassessment of the relationships of Cnemiornis. Journal of Zoology 243: 695-718.
Recommended citation
Adams, L. 2013. South Island goose. In Miskelly, C.M. (ed.) New Zealand Birds Online. www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz
Breeding and ecology
South Island goose
No data available.
Identification
Length: 100
Weight: c. 18 kg
A very large terrestrial goose similar to Cape Barren goose but flightless, with short wings and a shortened tail. It weighed up to 18 kg and stood up to a metre tall, as large as the smaller moa species and markedly larger than the closely-related North Island goose.
