Red-breasted Goose

Branta ruficollis

This stunning red and black goose migrates vast distances from Arctic Russia to wintering grounds in Eastern Europe, where flocks of up to 50,000 birds create spectacular displays against winter skies.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Red-breasted Goose is a striking bird with a distinctive black head, neck, and back contrasting sharply with its bright chestnut-red breast, foreneck and head-sides. White patches on the face and a white stripe along the flanks add to its unique appearance.

Both sexes look similar, although the forehead of the male rises more vertically from the top of the bill than the female. Juveniles have duller colouration, with less barring on the flanks. The plumage remains consistent throughout the year, with no significant seasonal changes.

Size

Length

53cm to 56cm

Wingspan

116cm to 135cm

Weight

1000g to 1.5kg

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Black Red White

Secondary Colour

Brown

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Red-breasted Goose is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Red-breasted Goose is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Red-breasted Goose can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Red-breasted Goose is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Red-breasted Goose is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Red-breasted Goose is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Red-breasted Goose can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Red-breasted Goose is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Red-breasted Goose can be found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Red-breasted Goose is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Red-breasted Goose is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Red-breasted Goose is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Red-breasted Geese breed from June in the Arctic tundra of Siberia, particularly on the Taymyr, Gydan, and Yamal peninsulas. Their wintering grounds are primarily along the western shores of the Black Sea in Bulgaria and Romania.

During migration, they can be spotted in eastern Europe and occasionally in the UK, particularly in coastal areas and wetlands, although they are very rare.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 100 meters

Climate zones

Arctic, Temperate

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Red-breasted 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