Branta leucopsis
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Mass
~2 kg
Habitat
Grasslands and meadows
Diet
Plants and grasses
How to recognize it
The Barnacle Goose stands out for its sharp black-and-white pattern and the pale sides of the head. On water and in flight it looks neat and compact, with a clean, simple shape that is easy to remember.
It is alert, but can seem calm while feeding. It runs well, swims strongly, and flies well, and during the moult it often escapes danger by running rather than taking off.
It breeds in Arctic tundra, on rocky cliffs and steep northern slopes, and winters in the Netherlands and parts of northwestern Europe. It feeds on grass and other plant food, and on migration it often pauses to rest along the long route between the north and its wintering areas.
Quick Facts
Listen to the call
The Barnacle Goose stands out for its sharp black-and-white pattern and the pale sides of the head. On water and in flight it looks neat and compact, with a clean, simple shape that is easy to remember.
It is alert, but can seem calm while feeding. It runs well, swims strongly, and flies well, and during the moult it often escapes danger by running rather than taking off.
It breeds in Arctic tundra, on rocky cliffs and steep northern slopes, and winters in the Netherlands and parts of northwestern Europe. It feeds on grass and other plant food, and on migration it often pauses to rest along the long route between the north and its wintering areas.
