description Bar-headed Goose Overview
The Bar-headed Goose is a migratory waterfowl species native to Central Asia that breeds in high-altitude lakes and winters in South Asia. It is known for its high-altitude migrations across the Himalayas, flying at elevations exceeding 6,000 meters. The species possesses physiological adaptations allowing efficient oxygen use in thin air. Recognizable by its pale body and distinctive black bars on the head, it feeds on grasses and aquatic plants.
help Bar-headed Goose FAQ
Do bar-headed geese really fly over Mount Everest?
They cross the Himalayas during migration, but that does not mean every bird flies directly over Everest's 8,849-meter summit. Tracking studies show that many crossings use lower passes while still requiring extraordinary high-altitude flight.
How can bar-headed geese breathe at Himalayan altitudes?
They have highly efficient lungs, hemoglobin with a strong affinity for oxygen, and cardiovascular adaptations that deliver oxygen in thin air. They also use powerful wingbeats rather than relying entirely on favorable winds.
Where do bar-headed geese migrate between?
Many breed on high plateaus and lakes in Central Asia, including the Tibetan Plateau and Mongolia. They migrate south across the Himalayas to wintering grounds in the Indian subcontinent.
How do you identify a bar-headed goose?
Adults have a pale head crossed by two distinctive black bars, an orange-yellow bill, and a light gray body. Those head stripes separate the species from graylag geese and most other Asian geese at a glance.
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