Greater White-fronted Goose vs Lesser White-fronted Goose

Anser albifrons verglichen mit Anser erythropus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Merkmal Greater White-fronted Goose Lesser White-fronted Goose
Wissenschaftlicher Name Anser albifrons Anser erythropus
Ordnung Anseriformes Anseriformes
Familie Anatidae Anatidae
Erhaltungsstatus Least Concern Vulnerable
Länge
Flügelspannweite 81,6 cm (32.1 in) 73,8 cm (29.1 in)
Gewicht 2471,0 g (87.16 oz) 1912,5 g (67.46 oz)
Ernährung Dabbles for aquatic invertebrates, seeds, and plant material; diet shifts heavily toward invertebrates in breeding … --
Gelegegröße 3-9 2-8
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Gemeinsame Lebensräume

Greater White-fronted Goose only

Lesser White-fronted Goose only

-

Greater White-fronted Goose

Breeds on Arctic and subarctic tundra and peatlands. Winters on estuaries, agricultural fields, freshwater marshes, and flooded meadows across Europe, Asia, and North America. One of the most widespread geese.

Lesser White-fronted Goose

Breeds on low-arctic and subarctic willow scrub and tundra across northern Eurasia. Winters on agricultural steppes and wetlands in Azerbaijan, Iran, Greece, and eastern Asia. Mixes with White-fronted Goose flocks.

Song & Call Comparison

Greater White-fronted Goose

Gesang

A loud, laughing 'kow-lyuk' or musical 'wah-wah'. Gives a distinctive high-pitched yodeling quality lacking in Greylag. Highly vocal in large winter flocks.

Lesser White-fronted Goose

Gesang

A high-pitched, rapid 'yelp' — noticeably faster and higher than Greater White-fronted. VU status; its smaller size is reflected in higher-frequency calls.

Geographic Range & Migration

Greater White-fronted Goose

Breeds in the potholes region of the northern Great Plains; winters in the southern United States and along the Gulf Coast.

Lesser White-fronted Goose

Erhaltungsstatus

Least Concern

Greater White-fronted Goose

Vulnerable

Lesser White-fronted Goose

How to Tell Them Apart

Greater White-fronted Goose

Gefieder

Brown-gray body with white forehead patch bordered by white band at bill base. Underparts with bold irregular black bars on belly. Orange bill; orange-yellow legs. Juveniles lack white front and …

Lesser White-fronted Goose

Gefieder

Similar to but smaller than Greater White-fronted Goose; more extensive white forehead reaching above eyes. Distinctive yellow eye-ring. Dark brown-gray body with black belly bars. Pink bill; orange legs.

About These Birds

Greater White-fronted Goose

A medium-large goose with a white forehead patch, orange bill, grey-brown plumage, and variable black barring on the belly. Widespread and numerous; one of the most abundant geese in the world. Breeds across the high Arctic; winters in a wide range of temperate wetland and agricultural habitats.

Lesser White-fronted Goose

A small compact goose resembling Greater White-fronted Goose but with a more extensive white blaze, yellow orbital ring, and smaller bill. One of Europe's most endangered geese; wild population now extremely small. Breeds in Arctic Scandinavia and Siberia; winters in the Middle East and eastern Asia.

More Birds to Explore

Explore the Nature FYI Family