- Anser brachyrhynchus
Identification
Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus)
Range: Breeds only in eastern Greenland, central Iceland and Svalbard. Western populations leave breeding grounds in late September to late October for wintering areas in the British Isles, mainly in Scotland, fewer in England and now rare in Ireland. Return movement is mid-April to mid-May, peaking in late April. Birds from Svalbard leave breeding grounds in late August to September and pass down the coast of Norway to winter in Denmark, Germany and the Low Countries, mainly the Netherlands. In severe winters some reach Britain and northern France. Returning birds begin to gather in Denmark in March and leave there during April-May. Small numbers breed ferally in Britain. Vagrants have been recorded in most European countries south to Spain, Italy and the Ukraine also recorded in north-eastern North America, on the Azores, Madeira, the Canaries and on Malta.
Habitat: Breeds singly or in loose colonies in upland areas of tundra, often on rock outcrops or low cliffs. In winter feeds on grassland, stubble and crop fields close to estuaries, lakes and reservoirs for roosting.
Bird Song
<flashmp3>Anser brachyrhynchus (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
