A medium-sized, sociable goose, with black head, neck and breast with creamy-white face, which contrasts with the white belly, blue-grey barred back and black tail. It flies in packs and long lines, with a noisy chorus of barking or yapping sounds.
Key ID Features:
Medium sized goose with contrasting upper and under parts, with black and grey barring on back and pale below.
Black breast, neck, head and bill frame a white face with a black eye-patch.
Pale grey upper-wings and white rump visible in flight.
Overview
Scientific name: Branta leucopsis
Family: Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae)
Where to see them:
Largest numbers on the Solway Firth (England and Scotland) and on Islay, Scotland but seen elsewhere on passage from breeding grounds in Greenland and Svalbard.
Seen in UK:
October until March.
What they eat
Leaves, stems, roots and seeds.
Text (c) RSPB, used with permission
For more information click here
Photographer: Tim Tapley
