Brent Goose
Branta bernicla
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About
A small dark-bodied goose with a black head and neck, small white neck patches, and pale grey belly. Migrates between high-Arctic breeding grounds and temperate coastal wintering areas. Feeds on eel-grass and saltmarsh vegetation in winter. Three subspecies differ in belly coloration.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 63.9 cm | 25.2 in |
| Weight | 1335.0 g | 47.09 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Small; mostly black head, neck, and breast. Small white neck-patch on adults. Back dark brownish-gray; belly pale gray to white depending on subspecies. White undertail coverts. Sexes similar.
Habitat & Range
Breeds on high-Arctic tundra; winters on estuaries, coastal mudflats, saltmarshes, and sea-grass beds along Atlantic and Pacific coastlines. One of the most strictly coastal wintering geese.
Geographic Range
Breeds across boreal and subarctic Canada and Alaska; winters in the southern United States, Mexico, and Central America.
Diet & Feeding
Primarily herbivorous; grazes aquatic plants, grasses, and sedges; swans upend in shallow water for submerged vegetation.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: SC. Incubation: 23-29 days. Fledging: 40-45 days.
Clutch Size
1-10
Sound
Song
A low, guttural 'rronk' or 'ronk-ronk' from flocks. Soft nasal calls in feeding groups. A subtle, understated call for a goose — less loud than most Anser geese.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes (Waterfowl) |
| Family | Anatidae (Ducks, Geese & Swans) |
| Genus | Branta |
| Species | Branta bernicla |
Distribution
Brent Goose has been recorded in 9 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Brent Goose eat?
Where does the Brent Goose live?
Is the Brent Goose endangered?
How does the Brent Goose nest?
What does the Brent Goose sound like?
How big is the Brent Goose?
What order and family does the Brent Goose belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Anatidae family