Alternative Names (Synonyms)

Names for newly-hatched

Names for non-breeding males or other colour-phases

References

Species Author

Major References

Aviculture references:
B7, B29, B30, B31, B40, B94, B95, B96, B97, B108, B128.w1, B129
D1, D8

Other References

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 300m˛ (or 200m˛  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:

• Red-breasted geese are winter-hardy, easy to keep, very decorative, unaggressive and mix well with other species. Large enclosures with good grazing and clear cold water are preferred. Good grazing will provide most of their food, although grains, pellets, bread and greenfood should also be provided.
• This species can be difficult to breed; good grazing area and good sized water area suggested to encourage breeding. They nest on the open in short grass, also less commonly under bushes, in huts or on islands. Eggs are laid mid June to July and may be parent-incubated, or if the risk of predation is high, a broody hen or incubator may be preferred, although parent rearing is advisable where possible.
• These geese may pair with other geese species if no mate of their own species is available. Hybrids have been reported with Anser albifrons - Greater white-fronted goose and Anser rossii - Ross's goose (B97).

(B29, B31, B96, B97, B108,B129)

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

Management Techniques

Measurement & Weight

Head

Legs

Plumage

Abdomen and flanks black, with broad white upper flanks and broadly black-and-white striped hind flanks. Ventral area and tail-coverts white. Upperparts black Wings black with white tips to median and greater coverts forming two white lines.

Newly-hatched Characteristics

Nest placement and structure

Egg clutches

Incubation

Hatching

Fledging

Sexual Maturity

Feeding Behaviour

Parental Behaviour

--

Social Behaviour

Sexual Behaviour

Predation in Wild

Activity Patterns

Adults

Newly-hatched

Distribution and Movement (Migration etc.)

Breeding: Siberian tundra, mainly Taymayr Peninsula.

Winters around Black Sea (mainly Romania, Bulgaria), also around Caspian Sea and Aral Sea; small numbers to Greece and Turkey.

Stragglers to western Europe particularly Britain and Netherlands (in Anser albifrons - Greater white-fronted goose flocks) and recorded south to Israel and Egypt, east to China as vagrants.

--

Habitat

Intraspecific variation

Conservation Status

Declining (B1). Vulnerable (B44.9.w1).

Captive Populations

Trade