Cotton Pygmy Goose
late November 2025
Male Cotton Pygmy Goose, Herberton area, late November 2025.
The Cotton Pygmy Goose is a small duck with a short and stubby goose like bill. The face is white as are the head, neck and upper parts. These birds are considered uncommon/rare and are endangered in NSW.
From left to right: Pacific Black Duck, male CPG. female CPG, Herberton area, late November 2025.
Males are about 350 to 380 mm in size with the female being slightly smaller. To give you some idea of size above is a photo of a male and female to the right of a Pacific Black Duck which I am sure most are familiar with the size of.
Male Cotton Pygmy Goose, Herberton area, late November 2025.
The breast is white with a tapering dark band. The wing bar is green and white with the underwing edges white with black tips. The flanks of the bird are white with fine buff barring. The eyes are red and the feet olive green.
From left to right: Female and male Cotton Pygmy Geese, Herberton area, late November 2025.
The female is duller and is easily identified by the dark stripe through the eyes and white eyebrow. Immature birds are similar to the female but browner.
From left to right: Male and female Cotton Pygmy Geese, Herberton area, late November 2025.
Their diet is mainly seeds, aquatic plants, weeds and some insects. During the day they seek cover in the waterlilies usually feeding at night.
Male Cotton Pygmy Goose, Herberton area, late November 2025.
They live almost entirely on the water in deep permanent water bodies such as lagoons, lakes and swamps usually with waterlilies. The location I have found them at has no water lilies I could see.
Male Cotton Pygmy Goose, Herberton area, late November 2025.
Their flight is low but I am yet to get a photo of that. Their voice is a loud staccato cackle with quacks. In flight they trumpet.
Female Cotton Pygmy Goose, Herberton area, late November 2025.
They are found on the East Coast from NSW up into Queensland. In the South they breed from September to November. In the north from January to March. The nest in a tree hollow up to 10 metres high and they lay 6-9 eggs.
Male Cotton Pygmy Goose, Herberton area, late November 2025.
A very pretty bird just like its cousin the Green Pygmy Goose which I spent three years trying to get some half decent photos. The Cotton Pygmy Goose was much easier once I found them. Still yet to get some clear close photos but very happy with the start.
Female Green Pygmy Goose, Wurruma Swamp, July 2023.