Taiga Bean Goose Bird Facts (Anser fabalis)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Taiga Bean Goose is a large, robust waterfowl with predominantly brown plumage. Its body is marked by darker upperparts and lighter underparts, with a distinctive orange and black bill that varies in pattern among individuals. Legs and feet are also orange.

Both sexes are alike in appearance, with females being slightly smaller than males. Adults and juveniles share similar colouration, with slight variations in bill pattern. Seasonal plumage changes are minimal, primarily involving wear and fading rather than distinct moults.

Size

Length

68cm to 88cm

Wingspan

140cm to 174cm

Weight

2kg to 4.1kg

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Grey

Secondary Colour

White

Beak Colour

Black Orange

Leg Colour

Orange

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Taiga Bean Goose is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Taiga Bean Goose is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Taiga Bean Goose can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Taiga Bean Goose is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Taiga Bean Goose is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Taiga Bean Goose is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Taiga Bean Goose is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Taiga Bean Goose is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Taiga Bean Goose can be found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Taiga Bean Goose is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Taiga Bean Goose is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Taiga Bean Goose is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Taiga Bean Geese breed in the boreal forests and tundra of northern Eurasia, from Scandinavia to eastern Siberia. They prefer areas with a mix of wetlands and forested or shrubby terrain for nesting.

During winter, they migrate to temperate regions, including parts of Europe and East Asia. In the UK, they are winter visitors, primarily found in eastern coastal areas and some inland wetlands. Yare Valley in Norfolk and the Avon Valley in Falkirk, south-central Scotland, are two well-established sites.

They are exceptionally rare vagrant visitors to North America, with occasional sightings reported in Canada and the US but no regular established breeding or wintering sites.

Elevation Range

Up to 2,000 meters

Climate zones

Subarctic, Temperate

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Taiga Bean 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

Passage

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Austria Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina China Czech Republic Denmark Finland France Germany Hungary Japan Kazakhstan Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Norway Poland Slovakia South Korea Sweden Taiwan Tajikistan Ukraine Uzbekistan

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Mongolia Russia

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Albania Bulgaria Croatia Greece Iran Italy Luxembourg Macedonia Montenegro Netherlands North Korea Romania Serbia Slovenia Spain Switzerland The United Kingdom Turkey

Species that pass through the area during migration

Belarus

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

Algeria Bangladesh Canada Egypt Hong Kong Iceland India Ireland Kyrgyzstan Lebanon Mali Malta Mexico Morocco Myanmar Nepal Portugal United States of America

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!

Share your thoughts

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 75

Agility

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

The Taiga Bean Goose demonstrates considerable agility for its size. Its ability to navigate long-distance migrations, fly in precise V-formations at speeds up to 70 km/h, and manoeuvre in various habitats from Arctic tundra to temperate wetlands indicates above-average agility for a large waterfowl.

Strength 80

Strength

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

As a large, robust waterfowl weighing up to 4.1 kg with a wingspan reaching 174 cm, the Taiga Bean Goose possesses significant strength. This is evident in its capacity to undertake long-distance migrations and its ability to defend itself and its young against predators.

Adaptability 85

Adaptability

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

The Taiga Bean Goose shows remarkable adaptability. It thrives in diverse habitats from boreal forests to tundra for breeding, and adapts to temperate regions including agricultural lands for wintering. Its ability to adjust its diet from natural vegetation to crops further demonstrates its adaptive nature.

Aggressiveness 60

Aggressiveness

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

While not typically aggressive, Taiga Bean Geese can display protective behaviour, especially during breeding season. Their vigilant nature in flocks and the male's guarding behaviour during nesting suggest a moderate level of aggression when necessary, but they are not known for being overly combative.

Endurance 90

Endurance

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

The Taiga Bean Goose exhibits exceptional endurance. Its long-distance migratory behaviour, flying between northern Eurasia and temperate wintering grounds, often covering thousands of kilometres, is a testament to its stamina. Additionally, its ability to survive in harsh Arctic conditions during breeding season further underscores its high endurance.

Diet

As their names suggest, Taiga Bean Geese follow a diet in which beans feature heavily. They are primarily herbivorous, feeding on a variety of plant materials. Their diet includes grasses, sedges, and aquatic plants in natural habitats.

Grasses, cereal crops, potatoes, and other agricultural crops are among the main foods eaten. During migration and winter, they often forage in agricultural fields, consuming crops such as grains and potatoes.

Behaviour

Taiga Bean Geese are highly gregarious, often forming large flocks during migration and winter. They exhibit a distinctive 'V' formation when flying long distances.

On the ground, they are vigilant grazers, taking turns to keep watch while feeding in groups.

Vocalisation

Taiga Bean Geese produce a variety of vocalisations, with their most characteristic call being a loud, nasal honking sound. This call is often described as 'ang-ang' or 'aang-aang', typically given in flight or when alarmed. Flocks create a cacophony of honks during migration.

Nesting & Breeding

Taiga Bean Geese form monogamous pairs, often maintaining these bonds over multiple breeding seasons. They typically breed from late May to early July, coinciding with the short Arctic summer.

Nests are built on the ground, usually near water and concealed by vegetation. The female constructs a shallow depression lined with plant material and down. Clutch size ranges from 3 to 6 eggs, which are creamy white in colour.

Incubation lasts about 28 days, performed solely by the female while the male stands guard nearby. Goslings are precocial and can leave the nest within 24 hours of hatching, fledging after approximately 40-45 days.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While currently listed as Least Concern globally, some populations of Taiga Bean Geese face localised threats.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting key wetland habitats and managing hunting pressures, particularly in Europe, where some populations are declining.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

680,000 - 800,000 individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

Look for large flocks in wetlands and agricultural fields during migration seasons
Observe the distinctive orange and black bill pattern to distinguish it from other goose species
Listen for their characteristic honking calls, especially in flight
In the UK, focus on eastern coastal areas during the winter months

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Bean Goose

Family:

Anatidae

Average Lifespan

7 years

Max Lifespan

25.6 years ^[4]

Predators

Main predators include Arctic foxes, large gulls, and birds of prey such as eagles and falcons, particularly targeting eggs and young.

Did You Know?

Taiga Bean Geese can fly at speeds of up to 70 km/h (43 mph) during migration.
They have excellent memory, returning to the same breeding and wintering sites year after year.
Some individuals have been recorded living beyond 20 years in the wild.

References

1
website: BirdLife International. 2018. Anser fabalis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22679875A132302864.
View source
2 3
report, 2015: BirdLife International; Wetlands International
4
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source