Ducks, geese, and swans · Waterfowl
Greater White-fronted Goose
Copied!
Anser albifrons
Copied!
Voice
Call
Joost van Bruggen
Call
Robert Petersen
Call
Pascal Christe
How to recognize it
-
64–81 cm, smaller than a greylag goose
-
Brown body, paler belly with black blotches
-
White patch at the base of the bill, pink bill
-
High-pitched cackle "he-he"
About the species
Greater White-fronted Goose has a quiet look rather than a flashy one. Its brownish body, pale underside with dark markings, and pink bill with a white patch at the base give it a familiar, understated appearance.
On the ground it moves with ease and can walk and run well. It usually comes to water mainly to drink, and if disturbed it can dive quickly; its call is distinctive too, so movement and voice are often the easiest things to notice.
It breeds in the tundra of Eurasia, Greenland, and North America, then heads south for winter. It feeds on grasses, algae, and berries, so it stays tied to open feeding areas and long seasonal migrations.
Where to find
-
On wet meadows at the city edge and along canal banks — feeding on grass in small groups, with a loud cackling call carrying over the water.
-
Along pond margins and reed-fringed shallows — easiest to notice when it steps out onto open mud to graze and rest.
-
On broad lawns, sports fields, and vacant lots near water — look at dawn, when a flock is quietly nibbling grass.
-
During migration, it may drop onto fields outside the center and wide waterfronts — a low approach and sharp cackling from the air give it away.
You might also see
Sources
- eBird — Anser albifrons Sightings map and full description on eBird
- Wikipedia — Greater white-fronted goose Encyclopedia article