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The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
RSPB Titchwell reserve, saltmarsh, mudflats and creeks Dark-bellied brent goose Dark-bellied brent geese grazing at the RSPB Exe Estuary nature reserve
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Brent goose

Amber conservation status

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Latin name

Branta bernicla

Family

Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae)

Overview

A small, dark goose - the same size as a mallard. It has a black head and neck and grey-brown back, with either a pale or dark belly, depending on the race. Adults have a small white neck patch. It flies in loose flocks along the coast, rather than in tight skeins like grey geese. It is an Amber List species because of the important numbers found at just a few sites.

Where to see them

Estuaries and saltmarshes. Main concentrations of dark-bellied birds in the Wash, the North Norfolk coastal marshes, Essex estuaries, the Thames Estuary and Chichester and Langstone Harbours. Most light-bellied birds are found at Strangford Lough and Lough Foyle, N Ireland and at Lindisfarne, Northumberland.

When to see them

Birds arrive in October and depart again in March.

What they eat

Vegetation, especially eel-grass.

Estimated numbers

EuropeUK breeding*UK wintering*UK passage*
--121,000 birds-

* 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.

Distribution

Key

In the UK
Coasts of N, E and S England, and N Ireland.
In Europe
Arctic islands (breeding); Denmark, Netherlands, France, UK and Ireland (winter)
Worldwide
Europe, Asia and N America

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Find out more

  • Videos

Audio is from commercial recordings Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe on 4 CDs or Bird Sounds of Europe & North-west Africa, copyright WildSounds & CEBA (www.wildsounds.com, (UK) +44 (0) 1263 741100)

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3 illustrations

123

Illustrations
Brent Goose

Adult

Brent goose - pale-bellied

Brent goose - pale-bellied

Brent Goose juvenile

Juvenile

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Join today and help us continue our conservation work to keep these birds safe.

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The RSPB speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment. We rely upon memberships and donations to fund our work. Nature is amazing - help us keep it that way. More...

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© 2008 The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Charity registered in England and Wales no 207076, in Scotland no SC037654
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Last published: 14/06/2008 01:07:30
Show/hide picture credits
RSPB Titchwell reserve, saltmarsh, mudflats and creeks - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com, Ref: 2002_4061_009 )
Dark-bellied brent goose - Steve Round
Dark-bellied brent geese grazing at the RSPB Exe Estuary nature reserve - Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com, Ref: 6024900-00035-002)
Bird illustrations by Mike Langman (RSPB)