Emerald Green

The Green Pygmy Goose (Nettapus pulchellus) is a little jewel found exclusively in Northern Australia and southern New Guinea. It's an extremely rare bird in captivity, but the wild population is not considered to be at risk. The tiny numbers in aviculture have challenged the very best: drakes from 2 pairs some years ago died from gout; the cause never determined. Happily some were raised last year at Sylvan Heights Bird Park in North Carolina, adding more knowledge to our breeding skills. Picture from Katie Gipple Lubbock at the park.