The Greylag Goose (Anser anser) is a large species of goose that breeds across northern Eurasia. It is the type species of the genus Anser and gave rise to the domestic goose. Here are some key facts about the Greylag Goose:
Identification
The Greylag Goose has a large bulky body and a long neck and legs. It has a brownish-pink bill and legs, and its plumage is mainly greyish-brown with a paler head and neck. The wings are pale grey with black primaries. It has a white tail and rump that are visible in flight. The male and female are similar in appearance, but females are slightly smaller. Juveniles are duller in color.
Distribution
The Greylag Goose has a wide distribution across Europe and Asia. Its breeding range extends from Iceland to China. There are three main populations:
- Northwest Europe/North Africa population – breeds in Iceland, UK, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands
- Central Europe/North Africa population – breeds from Germany east to Russia
- West & Central Siberia/Southwest Asia population – breeds in Russia and winters in the Middle East
It is mainly a migratory bird, wintering further south than its breeding range. However, some populations in temperate areas are residential.
Habitat
The Greylag Goose inhabits a variety of wetland habitats. These include:
- Lakes
- Rivers
- Marshes
- Ponds
- Flooded meadows
- Coastal lagoons
- Estuaries
- Farmland
It nests on the ground, often on small islands in lakes or marshes. During the winter it roosts on fields, lakes, reservoirs and sheltered bays.
Diet
The Greylag Goose is a herbivore and feeds mainly on grasses, leaves, grains, seeds, roots, and some aquatic plants. Its diet includes:
- Grass
- Sedges
- Rushes
- Grains
- Potatoes
- Wheat
- Barley
- Water plants
- Alfalfa
It grazes while walking on land or dabbling in shallow water. It eats crops on farmland and this sometimes brings it into conflict with agriculture.
Breeding
- Nests from late March to May
- Clutch size is 4-6 eggs
- Incubation is 27-28 days
- Young fledge at 6-7 weeks
- Sexually mature at 2-3 years
- Monogamous breeder with long-term pair bonds
The nest is a scrape on the ground lined with vegetation near water. The female incubates while the male guards and protects the nest. Both parents care for the young goslings.
Population
The Greylag Goose has an extremely large global population estimated at between 2-4 million individuals. Its numbers have increased greatly in the last 50 years due to conservation measures and changing agricultural practices creating more feeding habitat. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Behavior
The Greylag Goose exhibits the following behaviors:
- Strongly migratory across most of range, but some populations residential
- Gregarious – forms large flocks
- Noisy – has a variety of honking calls
- Wary and cautious
- Can be aggressive in defending nest and young
- Daily flights between roosting and feeding areas
Relationship with Humans
The Greylag Goose has a long history with humans:
- One of the first domesticated geese – descendant of Eastern Greylags
- Kept for meat, eggs, and feathers
- Popular quarry for hunting and sport shooting
- Some populations considered agricultural pests
- Wild populations increased greatly due to protection and creation of refuges
Subspecies
There are three recognized subspecies of Greylag Goose:
- A. a. anser – Western Europe to Central Russia
- A. a. rubrirostris – Black Sea to East Siberia
- A.a. domesticus – Domestic goose descended from Eastern Greylags
Threats
Although thriving overall, Greylag Geese face some threats in parts of their range including:
- Habitat loss through drainage of wetlands
- Disturbance of nesting and feeding sites
- Overhunting
- Collision with powerlines during migration
- Competition with other waterfowl
Conservation efforts focus on protecting key wetland habitats and sustainable hunting limits.
Interesting Facts
- The Greylag is the largest and bulkiest of the grey geese of Europe and Asia.
- Its name comes from old English “greg” meaning grey/speckled and Scandinavian “lag” meaning goose.
- The calls of Greylags are lower pitched than those of similar species.
- It breeds earlier than other geese, with some pairs nesting as early as January/February.
- The Greylag was tamed and domesticated by Ancient Egyptians at least 3000 years ago.
- Some domestic geese still interbreed with wild Greylags where their ranges overlap.
- Individual geese migrate back to their same wintering sites each year.
- In some areas, Greylags have adapted to nesting in trees rather than on the ground.
Summary
In summary, the Greylag Goose is one of the most familiar and widespread goose species in the world. It has a long association with humans, giving rise to the domestic goose. Greylag populations are thriving due to conservation efforts and changing habitat. However, they face threats in some parts of the range. Their ability to adapt to nesting in new habitats and mix with domestic geese means they will likely continue to do well across Eurasia.
References
BirdLife International. 2016. Anser anser. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22679897A85937239. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22679897A85937239.en
BirdLife International. 2020. Species factsheet: Anser anser. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 16/10/2023
Brazil, M. 2009. Birds of East Asia: China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, and Russia. Princeton University Press.
Clements, J., T. Schulenberg, M. Iliff, S. Billerman, B. Fredericks, B. Sullivan, and C. Wood. 2018. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2018. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
Del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). 2014. Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/52829 on 16 October 2023).
Kear, J. 2005. Ducks, Geese, and Swans: Volume 1. Oxford University Press.
Madge, S., & Burn, H. 1987. Wildfowl: an identification guide to the ducks, geese and swans of the world. Christopher Helm Publishers.
Snow, D. & Perrins, C.M. 1998. The Birds of the Western Palearctic vol. 1: Non-Passerines. Oxford University Press.