Swan Goose (Anser cygnoides) - BirdLife species factsheet

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Swan Goose Anser cygnoides

IUCN Red List Criteria

Critically Endangered
Endangered
Vulnerable	A2bcd+3bcd+4cd

IUCN Red List history

Year	Category
2012	Vulnerable
2008	Vulnerable
2006	Endangered
2004	Endangered
2000	Endangered
1996	Vulnerable
1994	Vulnerable
1988	Near Threatened

Species attributes

Migratory status	full migrant	Forest dependency	Does not normally occur in forest
Land mass type	continent	Average mass	-

Distribution

	Estimate	Data quality
Extent of Occurrence breeding/resident (km²)	1,270,000	medium
Extent of Occurrence non-breeding (km²)	1,270,000	medium
Number of locations	11-100	-
Fragmentation		-

Population & trend

	Estimate	Data quality	Derivation	Year of estimate
No. of mature individuals		good	Estimated	2011
Population trend	Decreasing	poor		-
Number of subpopulations	2-100	-	-	-
Largest subpopulation	1001-10000	-	-	-
Generation length (yrs)	11.4	-	-	-
Population justification: The global population has been estimated at c.60,000-90,000 individuals (Liu Binsheng et al. 2002, Zhao Jisheng 2002, Lei Jinyu per T. Fox and Cao Lei in litt. 2012). Barter et al. (2004) and Barter (in prep.) counted 60,886 individuals in the Lower Yangtze Valley in 2004 and 61,178 individuals in 2005 (see also Barter in litt. 2007). In addition, the population in Korea has been estimated at c.50-1,000 individuals on migration and c.50-1,000 wintering individuals. The most recent coordinated survey of the Yangtze River wetlands in January 2011 found a total of 87,544 individuals (Lei Jinyu per T. Fox and Cao Lei in litt. 2012), suggesting an upwards revision of the upper boundary for the estimate of mature individuals to 90,000. However, this apparent increase is more likely the result of better count coverage than a genuine increase in population size (T. Fox and Cao Lei in litt. 2012).
Trend justification: Substantial declines have been observed in the population of this species in parts of its breeding range in eastern Russia and Mongolia (BirdLife International 2001), as well as its wintering areas in China (Zhang et al. 2011), thus the global population is suspected to have decreased rapidly, in line with levels of hunting and wetland conversion for agriculture and development, with both of these threats operating on the breeding and wintering grounds. The increase in the population estimate following surveys in January 2011 is unlikely to represent an actual increase in the population (T. Fox and Cao Lei in litt. 2012).

Country/Territory distribution

Country/Territory	Occurrence status	Extinct	Breeding	Non-breeding	Passage
China (mainland)	Native	No
Japan	Native	No		Yes
Kazakhstan	Native	No	Yes
Laos	Vagrant	No
Mongolia	Native	No	Yes
North Korea	Native	No		Yes
Russia (Asian)	Native	No	Yes
Russia (Central Asian)	Vagrant	No
South Korea	Native	No		Yes
Taiwan (China)	Vagrant	No		Yes
Thailand	Vagrant	No
Turkmenistan	Vagrant	No			Yes
Uzbekistan	Vagrant	No

Important Bird Areas where this species has triggered the IBA criteria

Country/Territory	IBA Name	IBA link
China (mainland)	Anqing wetlands (Caizi Hu, Wuchang Hu and other lakes)
China (mainland)	Bacha Dao Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Beidagang Wetland Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Burgen River Valley
China (mainland)	Caimushan Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Chagan Hu Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Changshou Hu
China (mainland)	Chi Hu Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Chongming Dongtan Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Dabusu Hu
China (mainland)	Dalai Nur Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Dali Nur Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Daqinggou Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Dashanzuizi
China (mainland)	Dongting Hu wetlands
China (mainland)	Eastern tidal flat of Nanhui
China (mainland)	Fang Hu Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Fenglin Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Gaoyou Hu
China (mainland)	Hala Hai
China (mainland)	Heiyupao Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Hong Hu Wetland Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Huihe Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Hukou Wetland Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Huma He Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Huret
China (mainland)	Huzhong Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Jiangkou Niaozhou Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Jingpo Hu Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Jiuduansha Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Kaifeng Liuyuankou Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Keluo He Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Lanbowan–Qilihe Wetland
China (mainland)	Laodengshan Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Liangshui Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Lianhuanhu Waterbird Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Longgan Hu Wetland Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Mangui
China (mainland)	Melmeg (Momege) Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Mengjin Huanghe Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Min Jiang Estuary
China (mainland)	Mudanfeng Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Nansihu Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Nanweng He Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Naoli He Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Niuxintaobao
China (mainland)	Nuomin-Bila He-Dayangshu
China (mainland)	Ordos Taolimiao-Alashanwan Haizi
China (mainland)	Orqohan
China (mainland)	Pangquangou Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Poyang Hu wetlands
China (mainland)	Qagan Nur
China (mainland)	Qihulin He Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Qindeli Sturgeon Reserve
China (mainland)	Qingdao-Rizhao coastal wetland and islands
China (mainland)	Qingtongxia reservoir and Yellow River wetlands in Zhongning and Zhongwei
China (mainland)	Qixing He Wetland Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Saihan Ul Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Sanjiang Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Sanmenxia Dam Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Shaobo Hu Lake Area
China (mainland)	Shengjin Hu Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Shijiu Hu (Anhui)
China (mainland)	Shijiu Hu (Jiangsu)
China (mainland)	Shishankou Reservoir
China (mainland)	Shuangtai (Shuangtaizi) Estuary and Inner Gulf of Liaodong
China (mainland)	Sihong Wetland of Hongze Hu
China (mainland)	Songhua Hu, Baishan Hu and Hongshi Hu
China (mainland)	Tailai Dongfanghong
China (mainland)	Taipo Hu Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Tuanbowa Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Tumen River at Jingxin-Fangchuan
China (mainland)	Tumuji Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Ulgai
China (mainland)	Ulungur Hu and Jili Hu (Fu Hai)
China (mainland)	Wafangdian Fuzhou Wan
China (mainland)	Wuda Lianchi Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Xianghai Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Xilin Gol Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Xingkai Hu Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Xunbiela He Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Yancheng Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Yangdali Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Yinchuan plain
China (mainland)	Yubei Huanghe Gudao Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Yueya Hu Nature Reserve
China (mainland)	Yunfeng Reservoir
China (mainland)	Zhalong Nature Reserve
Kazakhstan	Cherniy (Black) Irtysh Delta
Mongolia	Achit Lake
Mongolia	Airag Lake
Mongolia	Airkhan Lake
Mongolia	Boon Tsagaan Lake
Mongolia	Buir Lake
Mongolia	Bulgan River
Mongolia	Dashinchilen Bayan Lake
Mongolia	Delta of Orkhon and Selenge Rivers
Mongolia	Khangain Nuruu National Park
Mongolia	Khar Lake
Mongolia	Khar Us Lake
Mongolia	Khar Yamaat Nature Reserve
Mongolia	Khovsgol Lake
Mongolia	Khukh Lake
Mongolia	Maikhant Mountain
Mongolia	Mongol Daguur
Mongolia	Nomrog
Mongolia	Ogii Lake
Mongolia	Onon-Balj
Mongolia	Orog Lake
Mongolia	Selengiin Tsagaan Lake
Mongolia	Shaazan Lake
Mongolia	Sharga Lake
Mongolia	Tashgain Tavan Lakes
Mongolia	Telmen Lake
Mongolia	Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake
Mongolia	Teshigiin Olon Lakes
Mongolia	Tsengeleg Lakes
Mongolia	Ugtam Nature Reserve
Mongolia	Ulziitiin Sangiin Dalai Lake
Mongolia	Uureg Lake
Mongolia	Uvs Lake
Mongolia	Uvsiin Khar Lake
Mongolia	Valleys of Khurkh-Khuiten Rivers
Mongolia	Zavkhan River - Ereen Lake
Mongolia	Zavkhan River - Ereen Lake
North Korea	Amrok River estuary
North Korea	Chongchon River estuary (including Mundok Nature Reserve)
North Korea	Chongdan field
North Korea	Kumya Bay
North Korea	Lake Kwangpo
North Korea	Lake Manpo and Lake Bonpo
North Korea	Lake Samilpo
North Korea	Lake Tungjong and Lake Chonapo
North Korea	Onchon field
North Korea	Ongjin Bay
North Korea	Orangchon River estuary
North Korea	Panmun field
North Korea	Taedong River estuary
North Korea	Unryul Kumsanpo
Russia (Asian)	Aniva bay
Russia (Asian)	Argun' river
Russia (Asian)	Dal'dzi lake
Russia (Asian)	Lower Tumen river
Russia (Asian)	Nikolaya bay
Russia (Asian)	North-east Sakhalin lagoons
Russia (Asian)	Northern slope of Khamar-Daban mountains
Russia (Asian)	Oruku-Shina
Russia (Asian)	Schast'ya bay
Russia (Asian)	Selenga delta
Russia (Asian)	Tere-Khol' lake
Russia (Asian)	Torey lakes (including Daursky Nature Reserve)
Russia (Asian)	Trekhozerki lakes
Russia (Asian)	Tyk and Viakhtu bays
Russia (Asian)	Udyl' lake
Russia (Asian)	Ul'banskiy bay
Russia (Asian)	Ulukhkol' lake
South Korea	Cheonsu Bay
South Korea	Geum-gang river and estuary
South Korea	Gyeongpo-ho lake
South Korea	Han-gang estuary
South Korea	Junam reservoir
South Korea	Nakdong-gang estuary
Turkmenistan	Nargyz

Habitats & altitude

Habitat (level 1)	Habitat (level 2)	Importance	Occurrence
Artificial/Terrestrial	Arable Land	suitable	non-breeding
Grassland	Temperate	suitable	breeding
Marine Intertidal	Mud Flats and Salt Flats	major	non-breeding
Marine Neritic	Estuaries	major	non-breeding
Wetlands (inland)	Bogs, Marshes, Swamps, Fens, Peatlands	suitable	non-breeding
Wetlands (inland)	Permanent Freshwater Lakes (over 8ha)	major	non-breeding
Wetlands (inland)	Permanent Freshwater Lakes (over 8ha)	major	breeding
Wetlands (inland)	Permanent Freshwater Marshes/Pools (under 8ha)	major	breeding
Wetlands (inland)	Permanent Freshwater Marshes/Pools (under 8ha)	major	non-breeding
Wetlands (inland)	Permanent Rivers/Streams/Creeks (includes waterfalls)	major	non-breeding
Wetlands (inland)	Permanent Rivers/Streams/Creeks (includes waterfalls)	major	breeding
Altitude	0 - 0 m	Occasional altitudinal limits

Threats & impact

Threat (level 1)

Threat (level 2)

Impact and Stresses

Residential & commercial development

Commercial & industrial areas

Timing

Scope

Severity

Impact

Ongoing

Minority (<50%)

Rapid Declines

Medium Impact:

Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion

Agriculture & Aquaculture

Annual & perennial non-timber crops / Agro-industry farming

Timing

Scope

Severity

Impact

Ongoing

Majority (50-90%)

Rapid Declines

Medium Impact:

Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion

Biological resource use

Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals / Intentional use (species is the target)

Timing

Scope

Severity

Impact

Ongoing

Minority (<50%)

Rapid Declines

Medium Impact:

Stresses
Species mortality

Human intrusions & disturbance

Work & other activities

Timing

Scope

Severity

Impact

Ongoing

Majority (50-90%)

Slow, Significant Decline

Medium Impact:

Stresses
Species disturbance, Reduced reproductive success

Natural system modifications

Dams & water management/use / Large dams

Timing

Scope

Severity

Impact

Future

Minority (<50%)

Slow, Significant Decline

Low Impact: 3

Stresses
Indirect ecosystem effects, Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion

Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases

Problematic native species/diseases / Unspecified species

Timing

Scope

Severity

Impact

Future

Majority (50-90%)

Rapid Declines

Low Impact: 5

Stresses
Species mortality

Pollution

Industrial & military effluents / Type Unknown/Unrecorded

Timing

Scope

Severity

Impact

Ongoing

Minority (<50%)

Slow, Significant Decline

Low Impact: 5

Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion

Climate change & severe weather

Droughts

Timing

Scope

Severity

Impact

Ongoing

Majority (50-90%)

Slow, Significant Decline

Medium Impact:

Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion, Reduced reproductive success, Species mortality

Utilisation

Purpose	Primary form used	Life stage used	Source	Scale	Level	Timing
Food (human)	Whole	Adults and juveniles	Wild	Subsistence, National	Non-trivial	Recent
Pets	Whole	Adults and juveniles	Wild	International	Non-trivial	Recent

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2013) Species factsheet: Anser cygnoides. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 25/05/2013. Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2013) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 25/05/2013.

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife

To contribute to discussions on the evaluation of the IUCN Red List status of Globally Threatened Birds, please visit BirdLife's Globally Threatened Bird Forums.

Key facts
Current IUCN Red List category	Vulnerable
Family	Anatidae (Ducks, geese and swans)
Species name author	(Linnaeus, 1758)
Population size	mature individuals
Population trend	Decreasing
Distribution size (breeding/resident)	1,270,000 km²
Country endemic?	No
Links to further information
- Summary information on this species