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Graylag Goose (Anser anser) — photo 1 of 3
© H005, denoised by Pro2 Public domain

Ducks, geese, and swans · Waterfowl

Graylag Goose

Anser anser

Year-round

Voice

Call

Sonothèque ADVL

0:12

Call

Owen Camus

0:01

Call

Joost van Bruggen

0:34

How to recognize it

  • Large, bulky goose with a long neck

  • Grey-brown plumage, paler breast and belly

  • Orange or pink bill, pink legs

  • In flight, pale grey forewing and rump stand out

About the species

The Graylag Goose looks solid and unhurried, with a heavy build that is easy to notice on water or shore. In flight, the pale areas on the wing stand out, along with its overall grey-brown look.

It usually seems alert and spends a lot of time feeding, often moving in a group. Its voice is loud and rough, a familiar honk that carries well and is often heard before the flock is seen.

It uses quiet lakes, marshes, flooded meadows, and reed-fringed places. It feeds mainly on grass and other plant food, and in migration or winter it also goes onto fields to graze and take crops.

Did you know?

  • Family parties teach the route

    Greylag geese migrate in family parties within the larger flock, so that goslings learn the migration route directly from their parents rather than by instinct.

  • Family quarrels race the heart

    In greylag geese the pulse spikes hardest not from thunderclaps or traffic noise but during social conflicts with a mate or family member — a sign of emotional engagement, and perhaps empathy.

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Sources