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;Branta ruficollis | ;Branta ruficollis | ||
| − | [[Image:Red-breasted_Goose.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Pavel | + | [[Image:Red-breasted_Goose.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Pavel <br/>Location: Lake Durankulak - Northern Black Sea coast of Bulgaria ]] |
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| − | Location: Lake Durankulak - Northern Black Sea coast of Bulgaria | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | + | These black geese are mainly black but have a chestnut-red coloured breast. They are now endangered. | |
| − | Recorded fairly frequently in the Netherlands, usually with migrating Barnacle Geese and also seen less regularly in Sweden, Finland and Britain. British records (c. 70) mainly in the east and south from October to March. Recorded throughout Europe as a vagrant west to Spain but this species is widely kept in captivity and some records undoubtedly refer to escapes. Arrive on wintering grounds in November and some begin to leave as early as March. Despite a general decline in population during the 20th century, numbers of birds seen as vagrants in Western Europe appear to be increasing. In 2001 birds of uncertain origin were recorded in Malta and Israel. | + | ==Distribution== |
| − | == | + | [[Taymyr Peninsula]] and migrates to the south-west to winter on the northern and western shores of the Black Sea. The main wintering grounds were formerly around the Aral and Caspian Seas and in [[Iraq]] but numbers in these areas are now very low. Most now winter in the Dobrogea region of [[Romania]] with smaller numbers in north [[Bulgaria]] and [[Hungary]] and sometimes in north-east [[Greece]] and [[Turkey]]. |
| + | Recorded fairly frequently in the [[Netherlands]], usually with migrating Barnacle Geese and also seen less regularly in [[Sweden]], [[Finland]] and [[Britain]]. British records (c. 70) mainly in the east and south from October to March. Recorded throughout Europe as a vagrant west to [[Spain]] but this species is widely kept in captivity and some records undoubtedly refer to escapes. Arrive on wintering grounds in November and some begin to leave as early as March. Despite a general decline in population during the 20th century, numbers of birds seen as vagrants in Western Europe appear to be increasing. In 2001 birds of uncertain origin were recorded in [[Malta]] and [[Israel]]. | ||
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| + | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Habitat== | ||
Breeds on the tundra in small colonies on low cliffs or rocky outcrops, usually near water and close to nest of large raptor or gull. On passage and in winter on open steppe, pastures and crop fields usually near large shallow waters but often in fairly arid areas. | Breeds on the tundra in small colonies on low cliffs or rocky outcrops, usually near water and close to nest of large raptor or gull. On passage and in winter on open steppe, pastures and crop fields usually near large shallow waters but often in fairly arid areas. | ||
| + | ==Behaviour== | ||
| + | Up to 9 creamy-white eggs are laid and which are incubated for 25 days. Their diet includes grasses, leaves and seeds. They nest near to the site of Peregrine Falcons for protection. | ||
| + | |||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Branta+ruficollis}} | {{GSearch|Branta+ruficollis}} | ||
*[http://www.orientalbirdimages.org/birdimages.php?action=birdspecies&Bird_ID=158&Bird_Image_ID=8305&Bird_Family_ID=59 View more images of this species on Orientalbirdimages] | *[http://www.orientalbirdimages.org/birdimages.php?action=birdspecies&Bird_ID=158&Bird_Image_ID=8305&Bird_Family_ID=59 View more images of this species on Orientalbirdimages] | ||
[[Category:Birds]] | [[Category:Birds]] | ||
Revision as of 13:12, 24 September 2007
- Branta ruficollis
Identification
These black geese are mainly black but have a chestnut-red coloured breast. They are now endangered.
Distribution
Taymyr Peninsula and migrates to the south-west to winter on the northern and western shores of the Black Sea. The main wintering grounds were formerly around the Aral and Caspian Seas and in Iraq but numbers in these areas are now very low. Most now winter in the Dobrogea region of Romania with smaller numbers in north Bulgaria and Hungary and sometimes in north-east Greece and Turkey. Recorded fairly frequently in the Netherlands, usually with migrating Barnacle Geese and also seen less regularly in Sweden, Finland and Britain. British records (c. 70) mainly in the east and south from October to March. Recorded throughout Europe as a vagrant west to Spain but this species is widely kept in captivity and some records undoubtedly refer to escapes. Arrive on wintering grounds in November and some begin to leave as early as March. Despite a general decline in population during the 20th century, numbers of birds seen as vagrants in Western Europe appear to be increasing. In 2001 birds of uncertain origin were recorded in Malta and Israel.
Taxonomy
Habitat
Breeds on the tundra in small colonies on low cliffs or rocky outcrops, usually near water and close to nest of large raptor or gull. On passage and in winter on open steppe, pastures and crop fields usually near large shallow waters but often in fairly arid areas.
Behaviour
Up to 9 creamy-white eggs are laid and which are incubated for 25 days. Their diet includes grasses, leaves and seeds. They nest near to the site of Peregrine Falcons for protection.
