The race of Upland Goose found in the Falklands is unique. Scientists have observed that it is diverging in an evolutionary sense from its continental cousin, the Magellan goose. Falkland birds are sedentary and much tamer. Only occasionally, the smaller continental bird, in which the male also has barred underparts, is seen in the Islands. The Falkland race has never been recorded from the mainland of South America. The Falkland population may be as high as 150,000 pairs.

The male Upland Goose is a handsome bird with his white plumage barred and marked with black. He has black legs and is usually larger than his mate. In general, where the male Upland is white his mate is cinnamon brown. She has a rusty-brown head and neck, brown breast and flanks barred black and dark yellow legs. The female Upland Goose has a heavier head and bill, and her rusty neck colour continues into the barred breast.

Ruddy-headed Goose is also very special. This species was once numerous in Tierra del Fuego, but has been driven to the brink of extinction there by man, decimated by the introduction of the Patagonian grey fox and shooting in its winter quarters. The Falklands now hold most of the world population of this attractive little goose, which is classified as Near Threatened by BirdLife International. It is fairly common in the Islands, though less numerous than the Upland Goose. The population was estimated at up to 27,000 pairs in 1997.