Greenland race

Greenland race Russian race European distribution flock

Identification

The White-front on this goose is found only on its forehead and not as you might expect, on its chest. Geese of other species may sometimes show a thin line of white around the base of the bill but only in the White-front does this make a conspicuous splodge. Unfortunately, juveniles don't have white fronts at all. They don't look as dark on the head and neck as Pink-feet or Bean Geese and their bill shape is similar to a Greylag's. However, White-fronts have a smaller bill, orange legs and a dark facial area in front of the eye. In flight their white face patches and black lines across the belly eliminate the other species.

Habitat

Winters on fields, wet grassland, saltmarshes and estuaries.

Migration

The nominate race leaves breeding grounds from late August-September, often arriving at wintering grounds as late as December, having stopped off at various sites en-route. The Greenland race usually arrives in Britain in October, departing in April.

This information is taken from the BirdFile on the appropriate BirdGuides DVD-ROM. As well as video and sounds, our CD- and DVD-ROMs contain additional text on Voice, Sexing, Ageing, Food, Nests and Eggs and more.

For the purposes of our bird news services, White-fronted Goose is classed as Local: generally fairly regular or common species that a 'county lister' or a birding beginner might be interested in going to see. (Note that rarity levels are currently applied nationally and may not reflect local variations in abundance.)

Marloes Mere, Pembrokes 11/04/2010	Marloes Mere, Pembrokes 11/04/2010	Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincs 15/03/2010	Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincs 15/03/2010	Loch Gruinart, Argyll 06/03/2010
Sandwick, Shetland 17/02/2010	Sandwick, Shetland 17/02/2010	Luthrie, Fife 16/02/2010	Luthrie, Fife 16/02/2010	Luthrie, Fife 16/02/2010

 View all pictures of White-fronted Goose

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White-fronted Goose breeds in the following countries (Bird News Extra subscribers will see population statistics and information on trends for each country):

Greenland
Russia

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