Are white-fronted geese Rare?

How many species of white fronted geese are there?

The ‘white-fronted geese’ comprise two species: Greater White-fronted Goose and Lesser White-fronted Goose. The subspecies taxonomy of the former has long been controversial, but only two taxa are of real relevance in Britain: Russian and Greenland White-fronted Goose.

How rare is a tule white fronted goose?

The Tule White-fronted Goose is very rare and has been since the latter half of the 19th century, presumably it was affected by destruction of its wintering habitat due to human settlement. Carboneras, Carles (1992): Family Anatidae (Ducks, Geese and Swans).

Are white-fronted geese protected in the UK?

Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework. The white-fronted goose is a winter visitor, arriving from Greenland and Siberia at the end of October, and returning north again at the end of March. It eats roots, shoots, tubers and leaves, as well as grains and oats.

How many white fronted geese are there in the world?

The greater white-fronted goose is a stable species in North America, although its population does fluctuate a little. It is listed as globally secure and of Least Concern by the IUCN Red List (NatureServe 2020). Its estimated global breeding population is about 2.1 million birds (All About Birds 2020).

What is the difference between a tule goose and a white-fronted goose?

Tule Geese and Greater White-fronted Geese wings are similar. Compared to the Pacific White-fronted Goose, the Tule Goose is larger, darker plumage, especially on head, neck and back, with larger, more massive bill.

How many tule geese are there in the world?

While there are about 600,000-700,000 Pacific white-fronts, there are only 15,000 or fewer Tules. Tule Geese and Greater White-fronted Geese wings are similar. Compared to the Pacific White-fronted Goose, the Tule Goose is larger, darker plumage, especially on head, neck and back, with larger, more massive bill.

Do white fronted geese live in the UK?

The white-fronted goose lives up to its name – look out for the white patch on its forehead and around its bill. It does not breed in the UK, but flies here from Greenland and Siberia for the ‘warmer’ winter weather. Classified in the UK as Red under the Birds of Conservation Concern 4: the Red List for Birds (2015).

What is the size of a white fronted goose?

Even more distinctive are the salt-and-pepper markings on the breast of adult birds, which is why the goose is colloquially called the ” specklebelly ” in North America. Greater white-fronted geese are 64–81 cm (25–32 in) in length, have a 130–165 cm (51–65 in) wingspan, and weigh 1.93–3.31 kg (4 lb 4 oz–7 lb 5 oz).

What is a tule goose?

The Tule Goose ( Anser albifrons elgasi ), or rather, the Tule White-fronted Goose, is one of two subspecies of the Greater White-fronted Goose found in North America. This white-fronted subspecies also has the smallest population of all other goose subspecies.

Where do the Greenland white-fronted goose live in the UK?

The main wintering areas of the Greenland White-fronted Goose in the UK are in Northern Ireland and Western Scotland, particularly on Islay. Balmer et al. (2013) indicates them to be frequent in other parts of Scotland and Northwest England.

Where do white fronted goose live in winter?

In Britain, European White-fronted Goose winter mainly in the South and East of England although in recent winters records of this subspecies have been received from as far North as Orkney. Balmer et al. (2013) indicates them to be frequent in other parts of England with isolated records as far afield as Western Scotland.

Are there any white fronted geese in the UK?

Two subspecies of White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons winter in the UK, these being the European White-fronted Goose A.a.albifrons and the Greenland White-fronted Goose A.a.flavirostris.

What do tule geese eat in winter?

While Tule geese mix among Pacific white-fronts on the wintering grounds, it’s been said that you’re less likely to find tule geese in flooded pastures or grain fields than their white-fronted counterparts. They prefer to feed on the roots, tubers and lower parts of marsh plants such as alkali bulrush and American three-square bulrush.

Where do geese live in the UK?

The largest numbers are found in County Wexford, Republic of Ireland, and on Islay, Scotland. The rest of the population is mainly concentrated at regular wintering haunts across western Scotland and northwestern and western Ireland. Greenland White-fronted Geese are declining and the highest conservation concern among the UK’s geese.

Are there white fronted geese in the Severn?

European White-fronted Goose: All records reported specifically as European White-fronted Goose. All unspecified records of White-frounted Geese from from the Severn Estuary and coastal counties of South and East England.

Are there any white fronted geese in Greenland?

1. The Greenland White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons flavirostris is the most distinct sub-species of the circumpolar White fronted Goose Anser albifrons. It breeds in west Greenland and migrates through Iceland to winter exclusively in Britain and Ireland, where it remains one of the rarest of wintering goose populations.

What is the habitat of the greater white fronted goose?

Greater White-fronted Goose Life History. Habitat. Greater White-fronted Geese breed in the tundra near wetlands, rivers, and ponds. During migration they forage in wet sedge meadows, tidal mudflats, ponds, lakes, and wetlands. In the winter they frequently roost on open lakes and ponds at night.

What is a group of white front geese called?

A group of geese on the ground is known as a gaggle. During flight a group of geese is called a skein. Some 15,000 white-fronts visit our coasts from Scotland to southern England, having summered in Greenland and Siberia. Siberian birds have pink bills, Greenland birds’ bills are orange.

What do you feed ducks and geese?

Diet / Feeding. Geese consume a wide variety of plant material, including grass, roots, shoots, leaves, stems, seedheads and fruits of other herbaceous marsh vegetation, aquatic plants, and agricultural grain and potatoes (particularly in the winter) Feeding Ducks and Geese

What are the different types of geese?

Chen – White Geese (often included in Anser) – Breed on subarctic areas of North America and around the Bering Strait and migrate south in winter. Branta – Black Geese (which includes the Canada Goose) – Mostly occur in North America. Some winter as far south as Mexico.