Key facts
- Gaelic names: Gèadh-bhlàr
- Length: 65 – 78cm | Wingspan: 130 – 165cm | Weight: 1,900 – 2,500g
- When in Scotland: October – April
- UK Conservation status: Red
- Species on the Edge areas: Argyll and the Inner Hebrides; Solway
Species information
How to identify
The Greenland white-fronted goose is a small goose – bigger than a mallard, smaller than a mute swan and slightly smaller than a greylag goose. The ‘white-front’ in the name of this species refers to the distinctive white forehead at the base of the bill. The body and neck are grey-brown and they have distinctive black barring on the belly. Both the legs and bill are orange.
Listen to its call (Credit: Matthias Feuersenger / xeno-canto)
Migration
Each year Greenland white-fronted geese embark on a journey of around 2000 miles from western Greenland to their breeding grounds in Ireland and the UK.
Distribution
Greenland white-fronted goose UK distribution map. Credit: RSPB www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/white-fronted-goose
Habitat and feeding
Habitat: Low-lying wet grassland, arable and grazing farmland, coastal marshes and river valleys.
Feeding: Feeds solely on plants including seeds, roots, stems and leaves including grains, potatoes and sugar beet.
Conservation status
UK Conservation Status: Red
Threats
The chief threats to Greenland white-fronted geese has been from hunting in Iceland and the expansions of Canada geese into their breeding grounds. In the UK, conservation concerns include changing farming practices, drainage of bogs, and disturbance. Greenland white-fronted geese have suffered a decline of 69% between 1993 and 2018.
What Species on the Edge is doing
- Production of bespoke farm management plans
- Help to inform the development of future agri-environment support schemes for Greenland white-fronted goose habitat management
- Conversations with farmers and landowners to inform future advisory work
Gallery
