Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Anser ("goose") caerulescens caerulescens ("ceruleanish")

Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens) at Deeping Lakes, Lincolnshire - January 2026

Featured Subspecies: Unknown
Weight: 2-3kg  /  Length: 64-79cm  /  Wingspan: 135-165cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A species that breeds on the Arctic tundra of North America, just tipping over into Siberia, it is notable for coming in two morphs; the snow morph seen here has the bird as entirely white plumaged except the black tail, while the "blue" morph  have only white heads on otherwise dark grey bodies. While this bird was presumably a vagrant as it was associating with whooper swans, typically the Wintering range of Snow Geese is various pockets in the USA and Mexico.

Related Species: 
Order: Anseriformes 
Family: Anatidae 
Genus: Anser
SUBSPECIES: A. c. caerulescens, A. c. atlanticus

 
- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM 
 Rare vagrant and also feral breeding species
-  One bird seen at Deeping Lakes in January 2026 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Anser ("goose") indicus ("of India")

Escapee Adult Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus) at Thornham Harbour - November 2020

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 2-3kg  /  Length: 68-78cm  /  Wingspan: 140-160cm
UK STATUS NOT EVALUATED/ IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A distinctive goose of Asia - it breeds on the high Tibetan plateau while Wintering in India. This migration also leads to one of it's other most noteworthy features - it is one of the most high flying of all bird species, crossing over the Himalayas of heights of around 6400m, with apocryphal stories of it being seen even higher. While there are feral populations in Europe, most if not all of the UK sightings of this bird are believed to be escapees from private collections, including this one seen associating with Greylag Geese in Norfolk. 

Related Species:

Order: Anseriformes 

Family: Anatidae 

Genus: Anser

SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - An escapee from pirvtae collections, possibly a feral breeder

 - A single bird associating with Greylags at Thornham Harbour

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Tundra Bean Goose (Anser serrirostris)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Anser ("goose") serrirostris ("saw billed")

Tundra Bean Goose (subspecies A. s. rossicus) with two Greylag Geese at Warnham LNR, West Sussex  - February 2015

Featured Subspecies: Anser serrirostris rossicus 

Weight: 1.7-4kg  /  Length: 68-90cm  /  Wingspan: 140-174cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Species like the Tundra Bean Goose are examples of where a project like this gets a little complicated.  Classically, there was only considered to be one species of Bean Goose (up to the point of including the Pink-Footed Goose too) but subsequent research has found that even one the Pink-foot is removed, the species is easily divisible by two - the birds that nest in bogs in the subarctic Taiga and birds which nest in the Subarctic Tundra.  There are also physical differences between the two - for instance, the Tundra has a shorter beak.  But some authorities split the two up (such as the American Ornithologists Union) and some keep it as a single species (such as the British Union of Ornithologists) .  While I could easily just go with the BOU list, I don't implicitly assume them to be correct over any other list, so I'm going to count it as a separate species.

As to the bird itself, it is a small grey goose, fairly similar to the Pink-foot and Taiga Bean but with a shorter bill.  It is also smaller generally than the Taiga Bean.  They are found scattered throughout the UK in Winter, often with other grey geese but, unlike the Taiga Bean Goose, do not have any specific regular Wintering sites.  This individual was accompanying a flock of Greylag Geese that were grazing on the Golf Course adjacent to Warnham LNR in Horsham.

Related Species:
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Anser
Subspecies: A. s. rossicus, A. s. serrirostris

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Rare and scatter winter visitor - around 320 individuals.

 - A single vagrant bird seen with a flock of Greylag Goose at Warnham LNR in February 2015 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Anser ("Goose") brachyrhynchus ("short bill")

Flock of Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus) Onager Hill, Norfolk - March 2023

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 1.5-3.5kg  /  Length: 60-75cm  /  Wingspan: 135-170cm
UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Pink-footed Goose is probably one of the best examples in the UK of a bird that could be described as locally common.  It visits Britain in the Winter in huge numbers in the areas surrounding some of the major estuary areas such as the Wash, but outside of these it occurs as a vagrant, often associated with other geese species.  This particular one for instance was associating with a large flock of Greylag Geese - a common species in the UK which it's worth checking the flocks of for other grey geese in Winter.  The birds that visit the UK have bred in Greenland and Iceland, while a second population from Svalbard Winters in the Netherlands and Denmark.

Related Species:
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Anser
Subspecies: None - monotypic

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A locally numerous Winter visitor to certain sites - rare elsewhere.

 - Various locations around The Wash, a single bird at Eyebrooke Reservoir in November 2014. 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons)

OTHER NAMES: Greater White-fronted Goose, Greater Whitefront, Specklebelly
Latin Etymology: Anser ("goose") albifrons ("white-forehead")

Adult White-fronted Goose (subspecies A. a. flaviostris - "Greenland White-Fronted Goose") at Keswick, Cumbria - April 2011

Featured Subspecies: Anser albifrons flaviostris
Weight: 1.9-3.3kg  /  Length: 64-81cm  /  Wingspan: 130-165cm
UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

White-fronted geese are a migrant species which turn up in various regions of the UK in Winter in large groups. This particular bird is a bit of an oddity - it was found with a mixed group of other geese grazing on a sheep field, on its own, outside normal wintering sites. It is of the Greenland race rather than the Siberian one - it can be identified by the orange rather than pink beak. Ordinarily however the best places to look for these birds would be in established Wintering sites.

Related Species:

Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Anser
Featured Subspecies: A. a. flavirostris, A. a. albifrons, A. a. elgasi, A. a. gambelli, A. a. sponsa

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A local but fairly abundant Winter migrant (2,400 birds of subsoecies albifrons, 13,000 of subspecies flaviostris)

 - A single bird seen at Keswick in 2011 associating with Greylag Geese.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Brent Goose (Branta bernicla)

OTHER NAMES: Brant Goose
Latin Etymology: Branta ("burnt" from Old Norse) bernicula ("barnacle")

Brent Goose (subspecies B. b. bernicula - "Dark-bellied Brent Goose") at Margate, Kent -  October 2018

Featured Subspecies: Branta bernicla bernicla (the "Dark-bellied Brent Goose")
Weight: 600-2200g  /  Length: 55-66cm  /  Wingspan: 106-121cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Brent Goose is probably a species most easily seen on the coast in the Winter - it forms large flocks which makes it easy to see and find, but conversely, it is probably quite thinly distributed in where these flocks turn up. Individuals or small groups may also sometimes appear, as in theno-cane case of the single Brent Goose which formed my first ever Brent Goose sighting - unfortunatly it was plonked on the far bank of the Thames beyond my photography range. The birds in the photograph however, were part of a very large flock near Reculver in Kent - and generally the North Kent Coast is going to be a reliable site for them, probably any site between Oare Marshes and Ramsgate during the Winter should have them pass by sooner of later.

Related Species:

Order: Anseriformes

Family: Anatidae 

Genus: Branta 
Subspecies: B. b. bernicla, B. b. hrota, B. b. nigricans, B. b. orientalis

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Locally commom Winter visitor; B. b. bernicula (91,000 birds) and B. b. hrota (31,400 birds). B. b. nigricans an annual vagrant. 

 - Dark-bellied subspecies a locally abundant Winter visitor in North Kent; Herne Bay, Reculver and Oare Marshes being good sites. 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus,  IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Branta ("burnt" from Old Norse) leucopsis ("white face")

Feral adult Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis) at Derwent Water, Cumbria -April 2010

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 1000-2250g  /  Length: 55-70cm  /  Wingspan: 130-145cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Barnacle Geese are a slightly difficult bird to accurately designate, and it's not helped by the fact that this bird is quite probably a feral specimen. However, in summary they are a species which arrives during the winter in Scotland and Northern Ireland from Greenland and Svalbard. While relatively numerous where they do arrive, the fact it's in a relatively out the way location for only half the year means that unless you happen to be in the right place in Winter they are much harder to see. The native feral population, which according to the RSPB website numbers about three thousand is probably a much more viable bet and can be found anywhere, though resident flocks in the Lake District are probably some of the better bets.

Related Species:

Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Branta
Subspecies:  none - monotypic

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Breeds locally (900 pairs) and local Winter visitor (58,000 from Greenland,33,000 from Svalbard). Also feral (3000 birds).

 - A single bird at Rutland Water. A large feral flock at Derwent Water

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

OTHER NAMES: Canadian Goose, Tundra Goose, Ring-neck Goose

Latin Etymology: Branta (Old Norse for burnt) canadensis ("of Canada")

Two feral adult Canada Goose (Branta canadensis - unknown subspecies) at London Wetland Center, London - June 2018

Featured Subspecies: *unknown*

Weight: 2.5-6.5kg  /  Length: 75-110cm  /  Wingspan: 130-180cm

NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Canada Geese are by far one of the easiest species to see in the UK. After Mallard, they are probably the most easily seen waterbird in the country. They will be present at most lakes of any notable size. The only limiting factor is that they do have localised habitat (water) as opposed to being present across habitats, although it isn't uncommon to see and/or hear them flying over in the distinctive 'V' formation or birds across countryside while travelling between sites.

As with many park based waterbirds, they can be encouraged to come very close through giving them feed. Quite often they may approach of their own volition, possibly in case you do have something to give them, although obviously be careful about aggression in this case. Either way they are a very easy species to photograph.

Related Species:

Order: Anseriformes

Family: Anatidae

Genus: Branta
Subspecies: B. c. moffitti, B. c. interior, B. c. canadensis, B. c. maxima, B. c. occidentalis, B. c. fulva, B. c. parvipes    

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Common feral resident (62,000 pairs) and common Winter visitor (190,000 birds)

 - Birds seen at sites including but not limited to Rutland Water, Rainham Marshes, Regent's Park, Kensington Gardens, Pitsford Reservoir, Ditchford Gravel Pits, Eyebrook Reservoir and Geddington.

UNITED STATES 
Breeds in Northern States, migrating to South Coast ones, resident in coastal California
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at San Francisco 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Alopochen ("fox-like goose") aegyptiacus ("of Egypt")

Adult Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus) at Richmond Park, London - October 2013

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 1500-2300g  /  Length: 63-73cm  /  Wingspan: 134-154cm

NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List

Originally an escapee species, Egyptian geese have spread with decent success and are now found on many bodies of water. They are not as common as their greylag or canada counterparts in geese stakes but are not too far behind in the East of England. For photography the duck/geese rule of "whatever distance they happen to be" definitely applies. Be careful around places with their own birds as individuals there might prove to be part of the collection.  While they are often fairly flighty in more rural settings, in more inner-city locations, they can be much more tolerant.

Related Species:

Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Alopochen
Subspecies: none - monotypic

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Local breeding species (1,100 pairs) and local Winter Visitor (3,400 birds)

 - Birds seen at sites including Rutland Water and Richmond Park.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Greylag Goose (Anser anser)

OTHER NAMES: Grey Goose, Fen Goose, Wild Goose
Latin Etymology: Anser ("goose") anser ("goose")

  Adult Greylag Goose (subspecies A. a. anser) at Wicksteed Park, Kettering - January 2011

Featured Subspecies: Anser anser anser
Weight: 3300g  /  Length: 74-91cm  /  Wingspan: 147-180cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Greylag Goose is the ancestor of domestic geese, and, along with the Canada Goose, one of the UK's most common geese. Found very easily on a wide range of habitats as long as there is water and some degree of grazing nearby. Large and relatively bold, getting good views should be easy, particularly in places where they have learnt they are being fed. As much of the UK population is considered "feral", I'm unclear as to whether the Amber Status applies to all birds, or uniquely to the truly wild birds which live in parts of Scotland. 

Related Species:

Order: Anseriformes 

Family: Anatidae 

Genus: Anser
Subspecies: A. a. anser, A. a. rubrirostris 

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Common breeding species (46,000 pairs) and Common Winter Visitor (228,000 birds)

 - Birds seen commonly at sites including Rutland Water, Rainham Marshes, Pitsford Reservoir, Ditchford Gravel Pits and Eyebrook Reservoir. Occassional flyover in Geddington.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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