Greylag Goose Bird Facts (Anser anser)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Greylag Goose is a large, robust waterfowl with predominantly grey-brown plumage. Its body is marked by darker barring on the belly and lighter grey fringes on the back feathers, giving it a scaly appearance. The head and neck are a lighter grey-brown colour.

Adults have a distinctive orange-pink bill and pink legs. Females are mostly the same as males but are smaller on average and can sometimes have duller plumage. Juveniles appear similar to adults but with a duller overall colouration and lack distinct belly markings.

Size

Length

75cm to 90cm

Wingspan

147cm to 180cm

Weight

2.5kg to 4.1kg

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Grey Brown

Secondary Colour

White

Beak Colour

Pink Orange

Leg Colour

Pink

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Greylag Goose is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Greylag Goose is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Greylag Goose can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Greylag Goose is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Greylag Goose is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Greylag Goose can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Greylag Goose can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Greylag Goose is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Greylag Goose is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Greylag Goose is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Greylag Goose is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Greylag Goose is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Greylag Geese inhabit a wide range of wetland habitats, including marshes, lakes, estuaries, and coastal lagoons. They are also found in adjacent grasslands and agricultural areas. Their breeding range extends across northern and central Europe and Asia.

In the UK, Greylag Geese are year-round residents, with populations augmented by winter visitors from Iceland.

Elevation Range

Up to 2,500 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subarctic

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Greylag 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

Resident

Breeding

Non-breeding

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Albania Algeria Argentina Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Bangladesh Belarus Belgium Bhutan Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria China Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Faroe Islands Finland France Georgia Germany Greece Hungary Iceland India Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Japan Laos Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Malta Moldova Montenegro Morocco Nepal Netherlands Norway Pakistan Poland Romania Russia Serbia Slovakia Slovenia South Korea Spain Sri Lanka Sweden Switzerland Tajikistan The United Kingdom Turkey Ukraine Vietnam

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Falkland Islands Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Mongolia Russia Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands Turkmenistan Uzbekistan

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Afghanistan Bahrain Cyprus Jordan Kuwait Myanmar Portugal Qatar Saudi Arabia Syria Tunisia United Arab Emirates

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Egypt Gibraltar Hong Kong Lebanon Libya Liechtenstein Oman Spain Thailand Yemen

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 65

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Greylag Goose demonstrates good agility for its size. It's a strong swimmer and capable flyer, forming V-shaped formations during migration. However, its large body and waddling gait on land slightly limit its overall agility compared to smaller, more nimble birds.

Strength 80

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As a large waterfowl, the Greylag Goose possesses considerable strength. Its robust build and ability to fly at high altitudes (up to 8,000 metres) during migration indicate significant muscular power. The species' size, weighing up to 4.1 kg, further supports its strength rating.

Adaptability 85

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Greylag Geese show high adaptability. They thrive in various wetland habitats, from marshes to coastal lagoons, and can also utilise grasslands and agricultural areas. Their ability to remember migration routes and adapt to different climates (temperate to subarctic) demonstrates remarkable adaptability.

Aggressiveness 60

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

While not typically aggressive, Greylag Geese can display territorial behaviour during breeding season. Males guard nests, and the species' large size can make them intimidating. However, they are generally social birds, often seen in large flocks, indicating a moderate aggression level.

Endurance 90

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Greylag Goose exhibits exceptional endurance. Its ability to undertake long-distance migrations, flying at high altitudes, showcases remarkable stamina. Additionally, their long lifespan (up to 20 years) and increasing population trend suggest strong resilience and endurance as a species.

Diet

Greylag Geese are primarily herbivorous, feeding on a variety of plant materials. They graze on grasses, sedges, and aquatic plants in wetlands and nearby fields. In agricultural areas, they may also consume crops such as wheat, barley, and potatoes, sometimes leading to conflicts with farmers.

These large birds graze on large fields alongside other birds and livestock, such as cows and sheep. They’re pretty content consuming mainly grasses, leaves, stems, and roots, but sometimes they eat insects, molluscs, and small fish.

Greylag geese feed throughout the morning and afternoon and tend to increase their protein-rich food intake during summer in preparation for migration.

Behaviour

Greylag Geese are highly social birds, often seen in large flocks outside the breeding season. They have a characteristic waddling gait on land and are strong swimmers. During flight, they form distinctive V-shaped formations, communicating with loud, honking calls to maintain group cohesion.

Vocalisation

The Greylag Goose is known for its loud, resonant calls. They tend to be even more nasal than other geese and have around nine types of honk-like sounds and cackles.

Their most characteristic vocalisation is a deep, honking 'aahng-unk' or 'gahng-gahng', often heard in flight or when alarmed. During courtship and pair bonding, they produce softer, more varied calls.

Nesting & Breeding

Greylag Geese typically form monogamous pairs that may last for several years. The breeding season usually begins in April or May, depending on the location. Pairs often return to the same nesting sites year after year.

Nests are built on the ground, usually close to water and hidden in vegetation. The female constructs a large, bowl-shaped nest using plant materials and lines it with down. A typical clutch consists of 4-6 creamy white eggs.

Incubation, carried out solely by the female, lasts about 27-28 days. The male stands guard nearby. Goslings are precocial, leaving the nest within 24 hours of hatching and fledge after about 8-9 weeks.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While the Greylag Goose is currently listed as Least Concern, it faces localised threats from habitat loss and hunting. Conservation efforts focus on protecting wetland habitats and managing populations in areas where they may conflict with agriculture.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

1,000,000 - 1,100,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Grey Goose, Wild Goose

Family:

Anatidae

Average Lifespan

15 to 20 years

Predators

Adult Greylag Geese face few natural predators, but eggs and goslings are vulnerable to foxes, large gulls, and birds of prey such as White-tailed Eagles.

Did You Know?

The Greylag Goose is believed to be the ancestor of most domestic goose breeds.
They can fly at altitudes of up to 8,000 meters during migration.
Greylag Geese have excellent memory and can remember migration routes and stopover sites for years.

FAQs

Why are they called greylag geese?

Greylag geese are reportedly named so because they’re grey geese from the Anser genus that migrate after many other geese, hence “lagging” behind. Some Greylag geese don’t migrate until December.

Are there greylag geese in the US?

There are occasional records of wild Greylag geese in the USA, but these are presumed escapees and/or vagrants from Europe (probably Iceland). Domestic or semi-domestic Greylag geese are common in the USA, New Zealand and Australia.

Can greylag geese be white?

Domesticated Greylag geese can be any colour, ranging from true wild Greylag plumage to completely white. So, in a sense, Greylag geese can be white, but not in their wild form.