From Opus

Photo by Dirk Hiemstra
Location: Lauwersmeer, Netherlands

Branta leucopsis

[edit] Identification

64cm.

• Head mostly white (or creamy-white), with black crown, lores, neck and breast.
• Upperparts are grey, barred black and white.
• Tail is white, fringed with black.
• Underparts white, with light barring on flanks.
• Very short black bill and black legs.
  

Juvenile: Rather browner on the wings.

[edit] Similar Species

The smaller Brent Goose lacks any white on the head and the larger Canada Goose, which has brown-grey upperparts and less white on the face - little more than a "chin-strap".

[edit] Distribution

Photo by Digiscoper321
West Sweden, May 2005

Breeds on Greenland, Svalbard, Novaya Zemlya, and islands in the Baltic sea.
Winters in Scotland (especially the Solway Firth and Islay), England, and Netherlands.
Rare vagrant to northeastern North America.

[edit] Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species.

[edit] Habitat

Marsh, rivers, and estuaries.
Breeds on the rocky coasts of arctic islands.

[edit] Behaviour

Very gregarious in the winter forming large flocks, often mixed with grey geese species.

Migrates October to early November and April to May.

[edit] Flight

Rather a U-shaped formation, closely packed but rather ragged. Strong flight. Wing beats a little slower than Brent Goose, more the rhythm of Greater White-fronted Goose.

[edit] Diet

The diet includes leaves, stems, roots and seeds.

[edit] Breeding

Breeds colonially. 4-5 eggs are laid and incubated by the female for 24-25 days; the young fledge 40-45 days later.

[edit] Vocalisation

[edit] References

1. Collins Pocket Guide to British Birds 1966
2. Collins Field Guide 5th Edition
3. Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0 00 219728 6

[edit] External Links