Identification
A bulky grey-brown goose with a large pinkish-orange bill and pink legs. Pale areas on the upperwing are noticeable in flight.
When to look
European populations include residents and migrants. Local flocks can change after breeding and during cold-weather movements.
Where to look
Wetlands bordered by grassland provide safe resting water and nearby grazing. Farmland can also be used for feeding.
Behaviour and ecology
Food and nutrition
It grazes on plant material, including grasses, and can feed on agricultural land. Secure water close to feeding areas reduces travel costs.
Breeding and life cycle
Pairs use vegetated wetland sites. After breeding, adults replace flight feathers and temporarily lose the ability to fly.
A closer look
The flightless moult makes access to safe water particularly important even for a large, apparently confident bird.
Global conservation assessment
LC · Least Concern
Global category recorded from the linked assessment; it does not describe local abundance. Least Concern does not mean absence of threats.
View the source assessment ↗Observation and photography
Keep boats and people away from family groups and moulting flocks. Watch feeding movements from a distance rather than driving birds towards water.
Sources and further reading
Keep a distance that allows birds to feed and rest normally. Do not enter colonies, approach nests, flush roosts or use playback for photographs. Never publish precise nest locations of sensitive species. Follow reserve rules and your guide's advice.