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Magpie Geese Print E-mail
The Magpie Goose is so named because it resembles a goose and is coloured a striking ‘magpie’-like black and white. Despite the common name, it has been separated from both and is currently placed in it’s own single species family due to various differences. Unlike most ducks and geese that have fully webbed toes, Magpie Geese have only partially webbed feet. They also undergo a graduated moult, not a complete moult as do the ducks and geese after breeding.
magpie goose
Magpie Goose
 
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Plants

Figs
The 'Figs' are contained in the genus Ficus of about 1000 different species found worldwide, including as potted plants in many households. They are of one of the best known and widespread of all plant genera. It is not just the distribution that attracts interest, however, for the genus has some important and fascinating ecology.
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Birds

Anhingas
Anhingas
Anhingas
The Anhingas were once placed in the same family as the Cormoramts and Shags; they are now recognized as not being as closely related as once assumed. Depending on the author, there are either 2 or 4 species of Anhinga. These birds are found all over the world, and subsequently have quite a few different names. The name ‘Anhinga’ is used mainly in the Americas, and was originally a Brazilian name for the bird. It is now the genus name. It may catch it’s fishy prey with a fast stabbing action of the bill. This behaviour has given the bird the other common name of ‘darter’. When swimming on the surface of the water, their body is usually under the waterline and only it’s neck and head are seen, giving it the appearance of a snake, and thus resulting in another common name ‘Snake bird’.
 

Mammals

Possums
The name 'possum' is a fairly vague and not very scientific term. Other than both being marsupials, the Australian/New Guinea 'Possums' are not closely related to the Neotropical 'Opossums'. In fact, within Australia, the term 'Possum' actually covers a few quite different families of animals.
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