Page 98 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

WILDFOWL
Order Anseriformes Family Anatidae Species Anser anser
Greylag Goose pale, plain
head
large orange
bill
very pale grey
upperwings
brown-grey plumage
(less neatly barred
outstretched on juvenile)
ADULT large pale
head
body
IN FLIGHT

pink legs
(rarely orange)
pale underwings

ADULT
ADULT
f all grey geese, the Greylag (the
Odirect ancestor of the domestic
goose) most resembles the farmyard FLIGHT: powerful, head outstretched; in “V”s and
goose. It is also the most easily seen grey long lines.
goose in the UK because it has been
introduced in many lowland areas where
sizeable flocks are now semi-tame and
resident all year round.Winter visitors
are still wild and shy. In much of eastern OCCURRENCE
and central Europe, the Greylag is Breeds widely in Europe. Large
naturally resident in extensive marshes. numbers from Iceland visit NW
VOICE Loud, clattering, and honking Europe in winter, coming to
notes like farmyard bird, ahng-ahng-ahng, coastal marshes and pastures.
kang-ank. Introduced (feral) birds common in
NESTING Sparsely lined ground nest, some places, including S England
often on island; 4–6 eggs; 1 brood; SLOW FLIERS and Scotland where they are
May–June. Flocks of Greylag Geese in flight are rather slower and resident and far less wild than most.
FEEDING Grazes; plucks grass and cereal heavier than other grey geese but become agile when Seen in the UK
shoots, digs for roots and waste grain. losing height before landing. J F M A M JJ A S O N D
SIMILAR SPECIES
PINK-FOOTED GOOSE darker head
see p.95
darker
smaller head
orange
darker legs
grey on FEEDING
wings BEAN GOOSE The Greylag Goose, like all grey geese, has a horizontal, head-down
see p.94
posture when feeding and shows a striking white rear.
Length 74–84cm (29–33in) Wingspan 1.49–1.68m (5–5 1 ⁄2ft) Weight 2.9–3.7kg (6 1 ⁄2 –8 1 ⁄4lb)
Social Flocks Lifespan 15–20 years Status Secure
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