It is morphologically close to shelducks, and particularly the South American sheldgeese, which have highly similar courtship displays.

[3][4] This is a stocky grey-brown bird about 70 centimetres (28 in) long with a slightly paler head and upper neck.

Standing bird looks fairly dull, gray and dirty white, sometimes showing blue along the edge of the wing.

[2] The blue-winged goose is a quiet species, but both sexes may give a soft whistle; it does not honk or cackle like the true geese.

This little-known species is believed to build a lined nest amongst grass tussocks, and to lay 6–7 eggs.