Pink-footed Goose
Least ConcernAnser brachyrhynchus
Visual Identification
Pink-footed Goose
Appearance
The Pink-footed Goose is characterised by its greyish-brown plumage, short pink bill with a black tip, and distinctive pink legs. Its head and neck are darker brown, contrasting with a paler breast and belly.
Males and females are alike in appearance, although females are often noticeably smaller. As their name suggests, their feet are pink, and they have a short, stubby bill, which is primarily black but features a small pink patch across the centre.
Adults and juveniles share similar plumage, with young birds showing slightly duller colouration. There is no significant seasonal variation in their appearance.
Size
Length
60cm to 75cm
Wingspan
135cm to 170cm
Weight
1.8kg to 3.3kg
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown Grey
Secondary Colour
Pink
Beak Colour
Pink Black
Leg Colour
Pink
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Pink-footed Geese breed in eastern Greenland, Iceland, and Svalbard. They winter in northwestern Europe, with significant populations in the UK, Netherlands, and Denmark. These geese prefer coastal marshes, estuaries, and nearby agricultural fields.
In the UK, they are common winter visitors to eastern Scotland, Lancashire, and Norfolk, arriving in September and departing in April for their Arctic breeding grounds.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 1,500 meters
Climate zones
Subarctic, Temperate
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
Pink-footed Geese primarily feed on vegetation. Their diet includes grasses, sedges, and agricultural crops such as potatoes and grain, as well as roots, shoots, berries and seeds.
In their Arctic breeding grounds, they also consume berries and mosses. Stems, leaves, catkins, mosses and grasses are particularly important in spring. They often graze in large groups in fields and wetlands.
Behaviour
Pink-footed Geese are highly social and often seen in large flocks during migration and winter. They exhibit a distinctive 'V' formation when flying and communicate with frequent calls. These geese are primarily grazers, feeding on grass and agricultural crops in fields.
Vocalisation
Pink-footed Geese have a distinctive high-pitched honking call, often described as 'wink-wink' or 'ank-ank-ank'. Males have a higher-pitched honk than females, while the calls of juvenile pink-footed geese are especially squeaky-sounding.
This vocalisation is frequently heard during flight and when flocks are feeding. The calls play a crucial role in flock coordination during migration.
Nesting & Breeding
Pink-footed Geese form monogamous pairs, often reuniting in successive breeding seasons. They breed in the high Arctic tundra, with the season typically starting in late May or early June. Loose nesting colonies are common, with up to 10 pairs establishing nests in fairly close proximity to one another.
Nests are built on the ground, usually on cliff ledges or slopes, lined with down. Females lay 3-6 creamy white eggs. Males guard the nest while females incubate.
Incubation lasts about 26-27 days. Goslings fledge after 6-8 weeks, remaining with their parents during their first migration south.
Lifespan
The Pink-footed Goose typically lives for 8 to 22 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 40 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While currently listed as Least Concern, Pink-footed Geese face threats from habitat loss and climate change.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting key wintering sites and managing agricultural landscapes to provide suitable feeding areas.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for large flocks in coastal areas and farmlands during winter
- Listen for their distinctive high-pitched 'wink-wink' call
- Observe feeding behaviour in stubble fields early morning or late afternoon
- In the UK, visit Norfolk, Lancashire, or the Scottish lowlands for the best viewing opportunities
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Greenland White-fronted Goose
Family:
AnatidaePredators
Main predators include Arctic foxes, polar bears, and large birds of prey such as eagles and gulls, particularly targeting eggs and young.
Did You Know?
- Pink-footed Geese can fly at altitudes of up to 6,000 meters during migration.
- Their population has increased significantly in recent decades, partly due to changes in agricultural practices.
- During migration, These geese can cover over 1,000 kilometres (around 600 miles) in a single day.
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FAQs
What is the difference between a greylag goose and a pink-footed goose?
Pink-footed geese are smaller, more compact than greylag geese, and have a higher-pitched call.
Greylag geese are present in the UK all year round, while pink-footed geese are temporary winter residents, arriving from northern breeding grounds each autumn. Greylag geese are also far more common than pink-footed geese.
In terms of appearance, the two species are similar and easily confused in the field, particularly from a distance.
Close up, the difference between the two is more obvious: greylag geese have a solid orange-pink bill, while pink-footed geese's bill is shorter and mainly black, with a small pink section in the middle.
Similar Birds
References
- 2
website: BirdLife International. 2016. Anser brachyrhynchus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22679872A85978254.
View source - 3 4
report, 2015: Wetlands International
- 1
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source