Bird · GBIF taxon 2498380
Blue-winged Goose
Cyanochen cyanopteraAlso known as Abyssinian Blue-winged Goose
Blue-winged geese are quiet, high-altitude waterfowl native to the cool montane grasslands and wetlands of the Ethiopian plateau. Uniquely crepuscular and nocturnal, they rest among vegetation during the heat of the day and emerge at dusk to graze on highland grasses and sedges. When flushed into flight, they display brilliant light blue shoulder patches that contrast vividly against their soft grey-brown plumage.
EndemicWaterfowlHighland
Licensed reference(c) DickDaniels, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Near ThreatenedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNear ThreatenedRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Highland grasses
- Sedges
- Aquatic invertebrates
Predators
- Ethiopian wolf
- Golden jackal
- Large raptors
ThreatsAgricultural expansion, wetland drainage, and overgrazing by livestock
HabitatsHigh-altitude grasslands, Afroalpine moorlands, rivers, and freshwater lakes
Life span10–15 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyAnatidae
- SpeciesCyanochen cyanoptera
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Can bite or flap defensively if cornered or near nests; observe from a respectful distance.
- What to notice
- Look for a greyish-brown body, pale head, dark bill, and striking light blue wing patches in flight.
- Support conservation
- Maintain a distance of at least 50 meters, especially around highland breeding pools and moist meadows.
Responsible observation
- Observe at Dusk: Scan open highland pastures during twilight when these geese become active grazers.
- Watch Flight Patterns: Look for pale sky-blue wing patches revealed as birds take to the air.
- Keep Your Distance: Give pairs a wide berth along riverbanks to avoid disturbing resting birds.
Related Shelduck (c) Alex Press, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alex Press · cc-by
Frequent Companion 
Predator Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-saClose Relative
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