Barnacle Goose

Branta leucopsis

The Barnacle Goose, with its distinctive black and white plumage, is a winter visitor that transforms UK wetlands into lively Arctic outposts.

Share this bird:

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Barnacle Goose is a striking bird with a predominantly white face and black neck, breast, and upper back. Its wings and back are silvery grey with black and white bars, creating a distinctive pattern. The belly is white, contrasting sharply with the black chest.

Both sexes look alike, with males being slightly larger. Juveniles have duller plumage with greyish tones on the head and neck, gradually acquiring adult colouration over their first winter.

Size

Length

58cm to 70cm

Wingspan

132cm to 145cm

Weight

1.3kg to 2.27kg

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Black White

Secondary Colour

Grey

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Barnacle Goose is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Barnacle Goose is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Barnacle Goose can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Barnacle Goose can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Barnacle Goose is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Barnacle Goose is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Barnacle Goose can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Barnacle Goose is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Barnacle Goose can be found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Barnacle Goose is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Barnacle Goose is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Barnacle Goose is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Barnacle Geese breed in the high Arctic regions of Greenland, Svalbard, and Novaya Zemlya. They prefer coastal tundra and rocky islands for nesting, often close to cliffs that provide protection from predators.

During winter, they migrate to coastal areas of northwestern Europe, including significant populations in the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands. They favour coastal grasslands, salt marshes, and agricultural fields in these wintering grounds.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 100 meters

Climate zones

Subarctic, Temperate

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Barnacle Goose. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons