Bar-headed goose

Description:

This species of goose is unique in which studies have shown that its haemoglobine is specially adapted to bind more oxygen than in low-altitude geese. This allows this exceptional geese to be able to flight at high altitudes over the Himalayan mountains (even over Mount Everest!), in environments where oxygen concentrations are very low. These geese also have more capillaries and more efficient red blood cells than other birds, meaning their bodies can deliver more oxygen to muscle cells faster.

Habitat:

This is a species of goose native to Asia. I have found this one on a lake in a university in Frankfurt this summer. It was annealed but I am not sure whether he is free or captive because he was in an open environment. I imagine it was raised as ornamental species.

Notes:

For more interesting info on this species visit: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/... and: http://archive.audubonmagazine.org/birds...