Often spelled "Greylag," this is the progenitor of the common domestic goose which frequently occurs as a barnyard escape and the source of resident feral populations. Wild populations breed across the northern Palearctic from Iceland to northeastern China and migrate south to Scotland, southern Europe and north Africa to eastern China. Virtually the entire Icelandic breeding population migrates to Scotland providing an influx of 61,000 to 76,500 geese each winter. Two subspecies are recognized. This is the nominate race showing distinctive orange bill and eyering. It formerly ranged continuously through western Europe, but distribution is now scattered because of longstanding human persecution. A paler, slightly larger race with pink bill (A. a. rubrirostris) replaces it from eastern Europe to Asia.
