Habitat
The
Bar-Headed Goose has two main habitats: one in the spring time during its
breeding season and one in the winter. The Bar-Headed Goose spends its
winters mostly in northern India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar
(Arkive, 2003-2013). While there they make their home near marshes, swamps,
rivers and lakes. During breeding season they make their nests in the
highlands of central Asia (Arkive, 2003-2013). Some popular
breeding areas
are Western China, Kazakstan, Mongolia, and Kyrgyzstant and Northern India.
The Bar-Headed Goose’s largest breeding site is Qinghai Lake, located in
Qinghai China. About six thousand birds breed there each year (Guo-Gang et
al, 2011). In order to get from their wintering grounds to breeding grounds
these birds migrate over the Himalayan Mountains. It is amazing that they
are able to do this due to the low oxygen pressure and thin air present at
6,000 meters above sea level. This journey can cover distances of up to five
thousand miles and take up to two months to complete (Than, 2011). The geese
obviously cannot complete this trip without stopping so they take a break at
stop-over sites where they rest and get the necessary nutrients to continue.
Their stop-over sites are typically wetlands (Guo-Gang et al, 2011). Some
other neat organisms that have similar habitats are the partridge (Alectoris chukar), which lives in India and the
Snow Leopard,
which is also able to handle the harsh environment of the Himalayas.
Continue to
Form and function to learn how the bar-headed goose travels
home.
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