Scientific name: Anser brachyrhynchus Baillon, 1834
Bird group: Geese
Field characters. 60-75 cm. Smaller than Greylag Goose and slighter, smaller, and shorter-necked than Bean Goose. Characterised by light bluish-grey upperparts, contrasting with very dark head and neck; small, short bill is pink with varying amount of black; legs pink. Winter plumage distinctly greyer than summer plumage. Juveniles darker and more mottled; legs dirty greyish-pink.
Voice. Characteristic notes are a bisyllabic, high-pitched yelp, and a trisyllabic cackle.
Distribution. Within the area, breeds only on Iceland and Spitzbergen. Common but local winter visitor in North Sea countries.
Habitat. Nests in river gorges, uninhabitable uplands, grassy slopes, low cliffs and rocky outcrops. In winter quarters, frequents stubble-, young corn-, and potato fields, grasslands, estuarine flats and sandbanks.
Food. Feeds by grazing on land and, to a lesser extent, while floating on water. In the breeding area, feeds on the green parts, roots, and fruits of various tundra plants. In winter quarters, feeds on farmland, grassland, and stubble, taking a variety of crops and grasses.
Eggs. Unmarked, often becoming blotched during incubation; ground colour white or pale straw, becoming brown or yellow during incubation. Texture rough/fine granular, slightly glossy/not glossy. Shape subelliptical/short subelliptical. Size 78 x 52 mm (70-90 x 48-58), weight 132 g (111-149) for eggs laid in captivity.