Article
Pink Footed Goose
Latin Name: Anser brachyrhynchus
A medium sized goose smaller than a Mute Swan but
larger than a Mallard Duck. It does not breed in Britain but large numbers
around 240,000 individuals winter here from their breeding grounds in Iceland
and Greenland. Arrival is marked with the characteristic V shape formation.
Identification
It is pinkish grey with a
dark head and neck, and a short pink bill, feet and legs.
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Details |
Animal
Facts
In Britain: October-April
Life Span: Typically 8 years.
Statistics: Length 68cm, Weight 2.5kg and Wingspan 152cm
Habitat: Tundra lakes, rivers and wet
meadows. In the UK can be found on large estuaries and surrounding farmland.
Food: Plant material including roots,
tubers, shoots, leaves.
Breeding: Lays a clutch of 4-5 eggs which
are incubated for around 26 days. Young fledge at between 50-60 days. Start
breeding at age 3.
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Conservation
Status
Least Concern |
Distribution: In Britain on large estuaries such as the East Scottish
coast, The Wash, the Ribble and the Solway or surrounding farmland where they
feed during the day. Around 18,000 visit Martin Mere WWT centre in Lancashire.
You may also find them in smaller numbers in other places throughout the UK
where there are lakes, reservoirs and large bodies of water as well as in some
Wetland reserves where captive birds are held.
Behaviour: Skeins of geese fly in a characteristic V-shape formation.
Nesting is often on cliffs close to glaciers, but also on islets in lakes.
Conservation Status: Worldwide least concern in the UK Amber Status - for
an explanation
click here.
See Also
Winter
Migrants
Martin Mere WWT,
Burscough, Lancashire
Holkham National Nature Reserve, Norfolk
Snettisham
Nature Reserve, Norfolk
Vane Farm, nr Kinross, Scotland
BirdFacts
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