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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Anatidae
  4. ›
  5. Nettapus
  6. ›
  7. Green Pygmy Goose
Green Pygmy Goose
Photo · (c) themaskedlapwing, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Green Pygmy Goose

Nettapus pulchellusGould, 1842

Updated 21 March 2026

Also known asDamanbi

Conservation status: Least ConcernOrigin: Native
Order
ANSERIFORMES
Family
Anatidae
Genus
Nettapus

At a glance

The Green Pygmy Goose is a medium-sized bird, about 30–36 cm long, listed as Least Concern and native to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
30–36 cm
Conservation status
Least Concern
Origin
Native
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Very common
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Green Pygmy Goose look like?

The Green Pygmy Goose is a medium-sized bird, about 30–36 cm long and weighing 245–430 g.

The green pygmy goose is a small perching duck which breeds in southern New Guinea and northern Australia.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
30–36 cm
Weight
245–430 g
Wingspan
48 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Green Pygmy Goose?

The Green Pygmy Goose is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Green Pygmy Goose eat?

The Green Pygmy Goose feeds on seeds, foliage/herbs and fish/invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or flocks.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

2 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Green Pygmy Goose live in Australia?

The Green Pygmy Goose is native to Australia, recorded across 33 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingEast Lesser Sundas, south Moluccas, south New Guinea and north-east WA to south-east QLD (north and east Australia)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Breeding
  • Vagrant
  • Resident

7 regions recorded