The greylag goose (Anser anser) is a large species of goose that inhabits wetlands across Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Its name comes from the gray plumage of the adult birds and the lag that refers to the flocks that migrate long distances. But an interesting question arises – is a greylag referred to as a goose or geese?
What is a Greylag Goose?
The greylag goose is one of the larger species of goose, with males averaging 13-16 pounds and females 9-14 pounds. They have a bulky body with a thick neck and rounded head. Their bill is pink with a white nail, and their legs and feet are also pink. Adult greylags have gray-brown plumage with paler feather edges, giving them their distinctive scalloped appearance. Their belly is whitish, and they have a distinctive large white patch on their rump.
Greylags are extremely sociable birds that live in flocks for most of the year. They breed in loose colonies near lakes, marshes, and rivers across temperate regions of Europe and Asia. During winter they congregate in large flocks to forage on fields, marshes, and estuaries. Many populations migrate south for the winter, some undertaking extremely long migrations from Russia to North Africa and back.
Goose or Geese?
In English, goose is used for both the singular and plural form of the common term for these waterfowl birds in the family Anatidae. The plural geese is a specifically applied term used when referring to a group of two or more geese of the same species, such as greylag geese.
Some examples:
- There is a goose in the pond.
- Five geese flew overhead.
- The gaggle of geese took off from the water.
- Look at the V formation of geese migrating north.
So while both goose and geese can be correct plural forms, goose is more commonly used to refer to the general species, and geese refers to a specific group.
Referring to Greylag Geese
When referring specifically to the greylag goose species, it is grammatically correct to use either goose or geese as the plural form.
For example:
- The marsh had many greylag geese.
- The hunter spotted a flock of greylag goose overhead.
- Greylag geese are prolific breeders.
- That greylag goose family has over ten goslings.
However, since greylags nearly always occur in groups and flocks, it is more accurate and descriptive to refer to them in the plural geese rather than the singular goose.
Some examples:
- Large flocks of greylag geese migrate through here each fall.
- The greylag geese erupted from the lake in a cacophony of honks.
- Listen for the distinctive calls of greylag geese flying overhead.
So in summary, while both goose and geese can technically be correct when referring specifically to greylags, geese is more commonly used and accurately reflects their natural social behavior.
Greylag Goose Description
Here is a more detailed description of the appearance and characteristics of the greylag goose:
Size
- Length: 31-38 inches
- Wingspan: 59-68 inches
- Weight:
- Male: 13-16 lbs
- Female: 9-14 lbs
Plumage
- Adults: Grayish-brown overall with paler feather edges. Underparts whitish.
- Distinctive large white patch on rump
- Head and neck grayish-brown with white throat
- Juveniles: Duller brown plumage
Bill
- Bill is pink with white nail
Legs and Feet
- Legs and feet are pink
Behavior
- Gregarious, flocks together year round
- Strongly migratory in many populations
- Omnivorous diet – grazes on land, dabbles for plant food in water
- Male has deep honking call, female has higher-pitched call
- Nests in loose colonies near water
Greylag Goose vs Domestic Goose
The greylag goose is the wild ancestor of the domestic goose. Here is a comparison between greylag geese and domestic geese:
Trait | Greylag Goose | Domestic Goose |
---|---|---|
Size | Large, males up to 16 lbs | Variable by breed, can be larger than greylags |
Plumage | Grayish-brown with white rump | Variable by breed, often white |
Bill | Pink with white nail | Orange or pink |
Behavior | Strongly migratory, gregarious | Non-migratory, gregarious |
Diet | Grazes and browses vegetation | Domesticated, often fed by humans |
Habitat | Freshwater wetlands | Around human habitation |
As you can see, while domestic geese trace their ancestry to greylag geese, through domestication they have become distinct in many traits related to their size, appearance, behavior, and their relationships with humans.
Greylag Goose Subspecies
There are three recognized subspecies of the greylag goose:
Western Greylag Goose (A. a. anser)
- Native to Europe and northwestern Africa
- Largest subspecies
- Dark grayish-brown plumage
- Most populations migrate south for winter
Eastern Greylag Goose (A. a. rubrirostris)
- Native to central Asia
- Smaller than western subspecies
- Pinkish bill with black bean-shaped markings
- Most populations resident year-round
Domestic Greylag Goose
- Domesticated form of Western Greylag
- Variable plumage colors
- Larger size due to selective breeding
- Non-migratory
The differences between the subspecies lie mainly in their size, bill color patterns, and migratory habits. However, they are all considered the same species, Anser anser.
Range and Habitat
Greylag geese have an extremely wide range across Europe, northern Africa, and Asia. Here is a summary of their range and habitat preferences:
Western Greylag Goose
- Breeds across Europe from Britain to Russia
- Winters south to North Africa and the Middle East
- Prefers freshwater wetlands – marshes, lakes, rivers
- Nests in wetland vegetation near water
Eastern Greylag Goose
- Breeds in central Asia from eastern Russia to China
- Winters as far south as northern India and Myanmar
- Year-round habitat is freshwater lakes and rivers
- Nests in reedbeds and islands
Across their wide range, greylags rely on availability of fresh water with ample nesting sites and grazing habitat. Their migratory habits are adapted to weather conditions and food availability throughout their flyways.
Diet
Greylag geese are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of plant and animal matter. Their diet consists of:
- Grasses
- Sedges
- Root tubers
- Cereal crops (e.g. wheat, barley, oats)
- Aquatic plants
- Insects
- Molluscs
- Small fish
- Frogs
They graze extensively on land, eating grasses and herbaceous plants. They also dabble and probe in shallow water to feed on aquatic plants, invertebrates, and other prey. They are opportunistic feeders and adjust their diet based on seasonal and local availability.
Feeding Behavior
- Grazes while walking on land
- Dabbles and probes in water while swimming
- Primarily diurnal, feeds during the day
- Feeds in flocks for safety
- Migratory populations make stopovers to feed
Greylags utilize a diverse array of food sources thanks to their ability to graze on land and feed underwater. They maximize foraging efficiency by feeding in flocks within wetland habitats along their migration routes.
Breeding and Nesting
Greylag geese breed in colonies from April to June. They display strong nest site fidelity, returning to the same area year after year. Here are some key facts about their breeding ecology:
- Sexually mature at 2-3 years old
- Seasonal monogamous pairs form
- Nest is a mound of vegetation on islands or shorelines
- Clutch size is 4-6 eggs
- Incubation is 28-30 days
- Young fledge at 6-7 weeks
- Female cares for young, male guards territory
Both the male and female invest significant energy in raising their young. The female incubates the eggs, while the male defends the nest from predators or other geese. The goslings grow rapidly and are able to fledge and feed themselves after a couple months. Greylags do not breed until 2-3 years old and have an average lifespan of 10-25 years.
Relationship with Humans
Greylag geese have had a long relationship with humans going back thousands of years. Here are some key points:
- Domesticated form is the domestic goose, bred from Western Greylag
- Valued as food, for meat, fat, and eggs since ancient times
- Feathers used historically for quill pens and down stuffing
- Some domestic breeds still kept on farms today
- Overhunted in the 1900s, conservation laws enacted
- Some populations have become overabundant pests on crops
From food and feather production to their cultural significance, greylags have been an important bird to human societies across Eurasia and North Africa for millennia. Conservation laws have helped restore numbers, but balancing their protection versus impacts on agriculture continues to pose challenges.
Conservation Status
The greylag goose has an extremely large population and range. However, some populations and subspecies face more threats than others. Here is a breakdown of their conservation status:
Western Greylag
- Population > 500,000 birds and increasing
- Listed as Least Concern on IUCN Red List
Eastern Greylag
- Population 100,000 – 1 million birds
- Decreasing numbers in central Asia
- Listed as Vulnerable on IUCN Red List
While the widespread and abundant Western Greylag is of least concern, habitat loss in Asia has put pressure on Eastern Greylag populations. Conservation efforts for wetlands and reduced hunting are needed to protect the eastern subspecies.
Key Facts Summary
Here are the key facts to remember about the greylag goose:
- Large greyish-brown goose native to temperate Eurasia and N. Africa
- An ancestor of domestic geese
- Named for gray plumage and migratory flocks (“lags”)
- Omnivorous – grazes on land, dabbles in water
- Nests in colonies near water
- Most populations are migratory
- Western Greylag is still abundant, Eastern is threatened
- Use the term “greylag geese” when referring to multiple
Conclusion
In conclusion, the greylag goose is a successful, adaptable species of goose that thrives across an extremely large range. While “goose” can refer to an individual greylag, “geese” is more accurate when describing flocks or groups of greylags. This common Eurasian goose has a long history intertwined with humans as a food source and cultural icon. Maintaining protected wetland habitats will help ensure the survival of greylag populations into the future.