
Sound clips and movies require Adobe Flash player. Latin nameBranta bernicla FamilySwans, ducks and geese (Anatidae) OverviewA 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 themEstuaries 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 themBirds arrive in October and depart again in March. What they eatVegetation, especially eel-grass. Estimated numbers| Europe | UK breeding* | UK wintering* | UK passage* |
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| - | - | 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
- 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
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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 Adult  Brent goose - pale-bellied  Juvenile Help the Brent gooseJoin today and help us continue our conservation work to keep these birds safe. |