The RSPB: Bean goose

Conservation status: Amber

The bean goose is one of the 'grey geese'. It tends to be darker and browner than the other species in this group, and to have a darker head and neck. It breeds in north Scandinavia, north Russia and north Asia, and visits Britain in small numbers in autumn and winter. Most of the birds that winter here come from Scandinavia, where the breeding population has declined in the last 20 years. Possible reasons for this decline include increased human disturbance, changes in agriculture and direct persecution.

Overview

Latin name

Anser fabalis

Family

Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae)

Where to see them

The best place in Britain to see bean geese is the Yare Valley in Norfolk, which includes the RSPB's Mid-Yare nature reserves. Another flock winters near Falkirk in southern Scotland. Smaller numbers of the smaller, shorter-billed tundra-breeding race also spend winter here. They are erratic in their appearances, but are regularly seen in east and south-east England.

When to see them

Between late September and March.

What they eat

Grass, cereals, potatoes and other crops.

Population

Europe	UK breeding*	UK wintering*	UK passage*
-	-	410 birds from the 'taiga' population and 320 from the 'tundra'	-

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.