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Barnacle Goose
(Branta leucopsis)
German name(s): "Weißwangengans", "Nonnengans"
Size: 55-70 cm; wing span 1.3-1.45 m
Weight: 1.2-2.2 kg
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Similar species |
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Physical description |
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Click here for a physical description
Barnacle Geese are medium-sized geese with a long neck.
They have a white facial mask (which can be pale-yellow
in some individuals), a black crown and black
neck and chest. The belly is grey, with fine barring on
the flanks, while the vent and undertail coverts are white.
The upperwings are grey, with bold black and white
barring on the coverts, which is also prominently
visible when the wings are folded.
The rump is white, while the short tail is black.
The irises are black.
They have a rather short, nearly triangular, dark-grey
bill. The slender legs and feet are dark-grey.
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Taxonomy, classification |
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See Barnacle
Goose at Wikipedia .
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Range, habitat, finding this species |
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Click here for information on habitat
and range
The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and
specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found,
based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to
ebird.org
.
The global distribution of the Barnacle Goose is available
HERE
.
Barnacle Geese are a migratory species.
They breed mostly on Arctic islands in the northern Atlantic
ocean (Svalbard [Spitsbergen], eastern Greenland, Novaya Zemlya),
but in recent decades a breeding colony has established itself
on islands and along the coastline of the Baltic Sea.
Most of the birds from Greenland migrate to wintering quarters
in the Hebrides and western Ireland, while those from Svalbard
spend the winters mostly in the border region of England with
Scotland. Those from Novaya Zemlya and the new Baltic breeding
grounds winter along the Dutch North Sea coastline and in
wetlands of central and western Europe (including inland
areas).
In Europe Barnacle Geese breed on Svalbard, around the southern
Baltic Sea and in (near-)coastal north-western Russia, while they
overwinter along the German Baltic Sea and North Sea coastline
and southward along the North Sea/Atlantic coastline to Normandy,
plus along the coastlines of the British Isles and in some wetlands
in inland central Europe.
Barnacle Geese breed colonially, mostly on stony ground, but
also on slopes to northern tundra. While wintering they are
found, again in large flocks, in coastal grassland.
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Sightings |
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Click here for sighting information
H. Dahlem-Senger reports spotting a large flock of Barnacle Geese
at the Grüner Brink, Fehmarn, Germany, in April 2016, and
again in May 2019.
J. Pires reports spotting Barnacle Geese
on Terceira Island, Azores, in November 2018.
M. Thomas reports found a single Barnacle Goose in the township
of Eltville, Hessen, Germany, in April 2019.
M. Eaton found Barnacle Geese in St. James's Park, London, England,
in September 2019.
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Photos |
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ADULT |
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Lateral view of a Barnacle Goose
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[St. James's Park, London, England, September 2019]
Near-dorsal view of a Barnacle Goose
(photo courtesy of M. Thomas)
[Eltville, Hessen, Germany, April 2019]
Flock of Barnacle Geese in shallow water
(photo courtesy of H. Dahlem-Senger)
[Grüner Brink, Fehmarn, Germany, April 2016]
Closer look at individual geese in a flock of Barnacle Geese
(photo courtesy of H. Dahlem-Senger)
[Grüner Brink, Fehmarn, Germany, April 2016]
Flock of Barnacle Geese on coastal grassland
(photo courtesy of H. Dahlem-Senger)
[Grüner Brink, Fehmarn, Germany, May 2019]
Near-lateral view of a Barnacle Goose, right, in flight with two
Pink-footed Geese
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Terceira Island, Azores, November 2018]
Lateral view of a Barnacle Goose banking to land
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Terceira Island, Azores, November 2018]
Lateral view of a Barnacle Goose in flight, top right, with a
Pink-footed Goose
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Terceira Island, Azores, November 2018]
Dorsal view of a Barnacle Goose in flight
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Terceira Island, Azores, November 2018]
Dorsal view of a Barnacle Goose in flight, right, with two
Pink-footed Geese
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Terceira Island, Azores, November 2018]
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Food, Diet |
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Lateral view of a Barnacle Goose feeding on grass
(photo courtesy of M. Thomas)
[Eltville, Hessen, Germany, April 2019]
Flock of Barnacle Geese feeding in coastal grassland
(photo courtesy of H. Dahlem-Senger)
[Grüner Brink, Fehmarn, Germany, May 2019]
Flock of Barnacle Geese feeding in coastal grassland
(photo courtesy of H. Dahlem-Senger)
[Grüner Brink, Fehmarn, Germany, April 2016]
These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our
contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species
please refer to a field guide.