Page 95 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

WILDFOWL
Order Anseriformes Family Anatidae Species Anser albifrons
White-fronted Goose

white forehead blaze
broad dark tail-band

pink bill
outstretched no black bars
head and neck
below
ADULT
grey on oily-brown body
wings looks greyer in
strong sun
IN FLIGHT pale bars orange
on back legs

pink bill
with dark
black bars tip
on belly
JUVENILE
ADULT
vivid orange legs
FLIGHT: flies in lines, “V”s , or irregular packs,
ne of the most colourful and lively of the grey geese, head and neck outstretched.
Othe White-fronted Goose returns each winter to
regular locations. Its flocks often attract stragglers of other
species, and hence are particularly significant for bird-
watchers. Knowledge of this, more common, species and
its variable appearance in different lighting conditions is
valuable when trying to identify other geese.
VOICE High, yodelling,
yelping notes, kyu-yu, ku- SUBSPECIES
yu-yu or lo-lyok. A. a. flavirostris
NESTING Down-filled (Greenland)
nest on ground; 5 or 6
eggs; 1 brood; June.
FEEDING Grazes on firm broad
ground during steady belly
bars
forward walk, taking grass, WATERSIDE GOOSE
roots, some winter wheat, orange bill Water is essential for drinking and also as a safe refuge for night-time
and grain. roosts. Floods, broad rivers, and estuaries are preferred.
SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRENCE
Breeds in Greenland and far
GREYLAG GOOSE LESSER WHITE- yellow N Russia. Winters on pastures and
see p.96 FRONTED GOOSE eye-ring
see p.408 coastal marshes in Great Britain,
larger small, Ireland, Low Countries, S France,
bright and E Europe. Often with, or near,
pink bill
other geese in winter, sometimes
in huge flocks.
pink
legs Seen in the UK
JF M A M J JA S O N D
Length 65–78cm (26–31in) Wingspan 1.3–1.65m (4 1 ⁄4 –5 1 ⁄2ft) Weight 1.9–2.5kg (4 1 ⁄4 –5 1 ⁄2lb)
Social Flocks Lifespan 15–20 years Status Secure
93