Barnacle Goose
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsis
At a Glance
The Barnacle Goose is an attractive small goose, nesting on Arctic coasts from northeastern Greenland east to Siberia, and wintering in northwestern Europe. Greenland birds may occasionally go off course and reach northeastern North America. However, this is a popular aviary bird, and most Barnacle Geese seen on this continent have probably escaped from captivity.
All bird guide text and rangemaps adapted from Lives of North American Birds by Kenn Kaufman© 1996, used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Category
Duck-like Birds, Ducks and Geese
IUCN Status
Least Concern
Habitat
Coasts and Shorelines, Fields, Meadows, and Grasslands, Freshwater Wetlands, Lakes, Ponds, and Rivers, Saltwater Wetlands, Tundra and Boreal Habitats
Region
Mid Atlantic, New England, Southeast
Behavior
Direct Flight, Formation, Swimming
Range & Identification
Description
Sexes similar; male slightly larger — Length: 22 in-2 ft 4 in (55-71 cm); wingspan: 4 ft 3 in-4 ft 10 in (1.3-1.5 m); weight: 3 lb 5 oz-5 lb 3 oz (1.5-2.4 kg). The Barnacle Goose has a black neck and cap surrounding white face. Small dark bill, barred gray back. Black chest contrasts with white belly.
Size
About the size of a Heron, About the size of a Mallard or Herring Gull
Color
Black, Gray, White
Wing Shape
Fingered, Long, Pointed, Tapered
Tail Shape
Rounded, Short, Square-tipped
Songs and Calls
A short barking note, sometimes rapidly repeated.
Call Pattern
Flat
Call Type
Croak/Quack, Honk
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