Share

Brent goose

The brent goose flies to the UK for the milder winter. Two populations arrive: those with dark bellies can be found around Eastern England; while those with pale bellies can be found in the North East.

Enw gwyddonol

Branta bernicla

Pryd i'w gweld

October to March

Species information

Categori

Ystadegau

Length: 55-60cm
Wingspan: 1.5m
Weight: 1.5kg
Average lifespan: 11 years

Statws cadwraethol

Classified in the UK as Amber under the Birds of Conservation Concern 5: the Red List for Birds (2021). Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework.

Ynghylch

A common wintering bird, the brent goose is the smallest of our geese - it is only just bigger than a mallard. Brent geese gather in large flocks of hundreds of birds and, unlike other geese, do not fly in tight 'skeins' (V-formations).

Sut i'w hadnabod

Our smallest goose, the brent goose has a grey-brown back, and black neck and head, with just a small white patch on the neck.

Dosbarthiad

Only found here in the winter. Birds that nest in northern Russia and Siberia have darker bellies, and spend the winter around the coasts of East Anglia and southern England. Birds that nest in Svalbard and Greenland have paler bellies and mostly spend the winter around North East England and Ireland.

Roeddech chi yn gwybod?

The brent goose is the most coastal of our geese, feeding mainly on eel-grass and seaweed on sandy estuaries and saltmarshes.