Greylag Goose

Species Profile

Greylag Goose

Anser anser

Quick Facts

Conservation

LCLeast Concern

Lifespan

15–20 years

Length

75–90 cm

Weight

2500–4100 g

Wingspan

147–180 cm

Migration

Partial migrant

A beloved sight in parks and wetlands, this large, grey-feathered goose is the ancestor of most domestic geese worldwide.

Also known as: Grey Goose, Wild Goose

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Greylag Goose in flight
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Greylag Goose in flight

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.

Identification & Characteristics

Colors

Primary
Grey
Secondary
White
Beak
Pink
Legs
Pink

Attributes

Agility65/100
Strength80/100
Adaptability85/100
Aggression60/100
Endurance90/100

Habitat & 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.

Where and when to see it

How often the Greylag Goose turns up in the UK and Ireland through the year, from birdwatchers' records.

United Kingdom

Resident · all year · most records in April

Ireland

Resident · all year · most records in November

Regularly recordedOccasionalBar height: share of all bird records that month
Show as a table
MonthUnited KingdomIreland
January0.91% (regular)0.23% (regular)
February0.92% (regular)0.29% (regular)
March1.1% (regular)0.27% (regular)
April1.1% (regular)0.19% (regular)
May1.1% (regular)0.20% (regular)
June0.87% (regular)0.18% (regular)
July0.96% (regular)0.17% (regular)
August0.92% (regular)0.19% (regular)
September0.88% (regular)0.18% (regular)
October0.89% (regular)0.26% (regular)
November0.83% (regular)0.33% (regular)
December0.84% (regular)0.24% (regular)

Recorded regularly in

Worldwide: recorded regularly in 88 countries

Countries where it was recorded in at least 3 of the 6 years 2019–2024. Linked countries have their own bird list.

Europe (41)
Africa (5)
Asia (26)
North America (5)
South America (8)
Oceania (3)

Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made

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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.

Calls & Sounds

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

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.

LCLeast Concern
[1]

Population

Estimated: 1,000,000 - 1,100,000 mature individuals[3]

Trend: Increasing[2]

Elevation

Up to 2,500 meters

Additional Details

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.

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for Greylag Geese in open wetlands, lakes, and agricultural fields.
  • Listen for their loud, honking calls, especially when in flight.
  • Observe their distinctive V-shaped flying formations during migration periods.
  • In the UK, check coastal areas and inland wetlands year-round.

Did You Know?

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

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