Alternative Names (Synonyms)

Names for newly-hatched

Names for non-breeding males or other colour-phases

References

Species Author

Major References

Other references:
B138

Aviculture references:
B7, B29, B30, B31, B40, B94, B95, B97, B108, B128.w1, B129
D1, D8

• Wildlife and Countryside Directorate, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR)
• British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
• The Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
• Earthkind
• The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT)

• Waterfowl Management Guidelines
• Proceedings of the Waterfowl Information Network Conference 1999
• Wetlands, Industry and Wildlife
• London Waterfowl Project FAQ's
• The Electronic Library: further reading for "Wildlife: Oil Spill Response"

TAXA Group (where information has been collated for an entire group on a modular basis)

Parent Group

• Waterfowl
• Geese
• Northern (True) Geese
• Black Geese

Specific Needs Group referenced in Management Techniques

• Grazing Waterfowl (D1)

Aviculture Information

Notes

• Northern (True) Geese are generally hardy and easy to manage. They are usually gregarious and many species may be kept in flocks, however they tend to be territorial and aggressive in the breeding season and some may need to be maintained in separate pens. It is often possible to keep small ducks with pairs of geese, unless the individual goose pair is particularly pugnacious. They should always be provided with adequate water for swimming.
• For a single pair of geese a total pen area of 300m² (or 200m²  for smaller species, e.g. Branta ruficollis - Red-breasted goose), with at least 20% of this area water is suggested, although more water should be provided if possible in a larger pen (D1).
• Geese are grazers and should have access to good short grass (less than 3 inches, 7.5cm long) for grazing. When grass is scarce, it may be supplemented with greenfood such as cabbage, lettuce etc.; alfalfa pellets have also been used for this purpose. Additional grain and pellets should be given, with a change to breeder pellets in the breeding season, at which time less or no grain may be fed. Breeding success may be decreased if these species are allowed to become too fat and this can be problematic particularly for the species which normally breed in the high Arctic.
• Goslings may be parent hatched and reared, although being mainly terrestrial they are more vulnerable to predation than are cygnets. Whether parent or hand-reared, goslings should be provided with unlimited grazing and other green food such as chopped lettuce, as well as starter crumbs.
• Geese species may hybridise with one another, but this is not usually a problem if they are well paired before being mixed with other birds.

(B7, B29, B30, B40, B94, B95, B108, B128.w1, B129, D1)

Species-specific information:

• Brent geese are generally hardy and not difficult to keep; they are attractive as small flocks but require space and good grazing. Large enclosures with plentiful short grazing, a clear, cold lake and shade available are suggested. Feed with grain, pellets, plenty of green food, and bread in addition to grass.
• These geese are generally not easy to breed; some subspecies breed in captivity better than others. They nest in grass in secluded areas, also in boxes and large baskets. Eggs laid mainly in May (Slimbridge, UK) (B31); May to June B29) and Black Brant mid June to July (B29). Goslings should be protected from excessive heat, fed on starter crumbs and duckweed, and should be put out on short grass when a few days old.
• Hybridisation is very rare, but has been reported with Branta spp. such as Branta canadensis - Canada goose, Branta leucopsis - Barnacle goose and also Anser species.

(B29, B30, B31, B94, B97, B129).

Aviornis UK Ringing Scheme suggested average closed ring size: P 14.0mm (orientalis 12.0mm) (D8).

• Accommodation of Casualty Waterfowl
• Rearing of Birds - Artificial Rearing - Waterfowl considerations
• Catching and Handling of Waterfowl
• Feeding of Casualty Waterfowl
• Release of Casualty Waterfowl
• See also: Oil Spill: Species Identification and Special Considerations

Measurement & Weight

Head

Legs

Plumage

Upperparts and wings dark grey-brown, flight feathers black.

Tail black, ventral region and elongated tail-coverts white.

Abdomen and flanks grey-brown, flanks and sides of abdomen with pale feather tips forming bars.

Branta bernicla hrota paler: abdomen and flanks whitish with dark barring on rear flanks.

Newly-hatched Characteristics

Nest placement and structure

Egg clutches

Incubation

Hatching

Fledging

Sexual Maturity

Feeding Behaviour

Parental Behaviour

Remain with parents until following breeding season.

Social Behaviour

Sexual Behaviour

Predation in Wild

Activity Patterns

Adults

Newly-hatched

Distribution and Movement (Migration etc.)

• Branta bernicla hrota Northern Canada, Greenland
• Branta bernicla bernicla North-central Siberia
• Branta bernicla nigricans North-eastern Siberia

Migratory to north-west Europe and south to Mediterranean region; eastern Asia (around Yellow Sea) including Japan, China; North America (Atlantic and Pacific coasts). Seen further south in very cold winters.

London: In the London Area, "formerly scarce migrant and winter visitor, greatly increased in recent years." Seen at various reservoirs, Rainham Marsh, The Wetland Centre at Barnes (WWT) and other sites. (J322.65.w1)

Rarely to north Africa and Hawaiian Islands.

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Habitat

Intraspecific variation

Conservation Status

Not considered threatened (B1).

Captive Populations

Trade