The barnacle goose (Branta leucopsis ) is a species of goose that belongs to the genus Branta of black geese, which contains species with largely black plumage, distinguishing them from the grey Anser species. Despite its superficial similarity to the brant goose, genetic analysis has shown it is an eastern derivative of the cackling goose lineage.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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HerbivoreA herbivore is an animal anatomically and physiologically adapted to eating plant material, for example, foliage, for the main component of its die...
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FolivoreIn zoology, a folivore is a herbivore that specializes in eating leaves. Mature leaves contain a high proportion of hard-to-digest cellulose, less ...
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GraminivoreIn zoology, a graminivore (not to be confused with a granivore) is an herbivorous animal that feeds primarily on grass. Graminivory is a form of g...
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SemiaquaticSemiaquatic animals are those that are primarily or partly terrestrial but that spend a large amount of time swimming or otherwise occupied in wate...
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WaterfowlWaterfowl are certain wildfowl of the order Anseriformes, especially members of the family Anatidae, which includes ducks, geese, and swans. They ...
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PrecocialPrecocial species are those in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. Precocial species are normall...
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GrazingGrazing is a method of feeding in which a herbivore feeds on plants such as grasses, or other multicellular organisms such as algae. In agriculture...
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ZoochoryZoochory animals are those that can disperse plant seeds in several ways. Seeds can be transported on the outside of vertebrate animals (mostly mam...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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TerritorialA territory is a sociographical area that which an animal consistently defends against the conspecific competition (or, occasionally, against anima...
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CongregatoryCongregatory animals tend to gather in large numbers in specific areas as breeding colonies, for feeding, or for resting.
Oviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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MonogamyMonogamy is a form of relationship in which both the male and the female has only one partner. This pair may cohabitate in an area or territory for...
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FlockingFlocking birds are those that tend to gather to forage or travel collectively. Avian flocks are typically associated with migration. Flocking also ...
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ColonialColonial animals live in large aggregations composed of two or more conspecific individuals in close association with or connected to, one another....
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MigratingAnimal migration is the relatively long-distance movement of individual animals, usually on a seasonal basis. It is the most common form of migrati...
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starts withBarnacle geese are medium-sized birds that breed mainly on the Arctic islands of the North Atlantic. They have a white face and black head, neck, and upper breast; their belly is white. The wings and their back are silver-gray with black-and-white bars that look like they are shining when the light reflects on it. During the flight, these birds show a V-shaped white rump patch and the silver-gray underwing linings.
Barnacle geese occur in three main populations, with separate breeding and wintering ranges, from west to east which include eastern Greenland, Svalbard and Novaya Zemlya (northern Russia and the extreme northeast of Europe). A new fourth population, derived from the Novaya Zemlya population, has become established since 1975 breeds on the islands and coasts of the Baltic Sea (Estonia, Finland, Denmark, and Sweden). Occasionally, wild birds will appear in the Northeastern United States or Canada. Breeding habitats include coastal tundra with cliffs, rocky outcrops, and steep slopes, often near lakes, rivers, and marshes. On the wintering grounds, Barnacle geese prefer grassy fields near the coastal regions, mudflats, and salt marshes.
Barnacle geese are gregarious birds; they nest, feed and migrate in large flocks. They are active during the day spending most of the time foraging above-ground. Barnacle geese moult after nesting; during this time they can't fly and stay in protected areas such lakes or at sea in order to avoid predators. After the moulting period, birds usually congregate at the gathering sites, where they feed before the migration to their wintering grounds.
Barnacle geese are herbivorous (folivorous, graminivorous) birds. They feed mainly on leaves, herbs, grass, roots, mosses, sedges, and aquatic vegetation. During the winter they may feed on agricultural grain and occasionally vegetables.
Barnacle geese are monogamous and form long-lasting pair bonds. They breed in late May-June usually in colonies that may include up to 50 pairs. Females construct the nests locating them on cliff edges in order to avoid predators. The nest is made of dead foliage and mud and lined with down. The female lays 3 to 5 white eggs, and incubates them during 24-26 days; during this time the male feed and protects her. At hatching, goslings are precocial (fully-developed); they are able to leave the nest soon after birth and follow their parents to nearby marshes to feed themselves. The young fledge at 40 to 45 days old and become reproductively mature when they are 2-3 years old.
Barnacle geese are persecuted by farmers because during the winter they often visit fields and farmlands to feed on grass. In Svalbard, these birds also suffer from predation by Arctic foxes which hunt adult birds, eggs and newly hatched goslings.
According to the IUCN Red List, the total population size of the Barnacle goose is around 880,000 individuals. The European population consists of 196,000-247,000 pairs, which equates to 392,000-494,000 mature individuals. According to the Wikipedia resource, the species population numbers have been estimated in such areas: Greenland - about 40,000 individuals; Svalbard - about 24,000 individuals; Novaya Zemlya (Russia) - about 130,000 individuals; on the islands and coasts of the Baltic Sea (Estonia, Finland, Denmark, and Sweden) - about 8,000 individuals. Overall, currently, Barnacle geese are classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and their numbers today are increasing.
Barnacle geese are important seed dispersers in their ecosystem as they feed on a wide variety of herbs and grasses. These birds are also a food source for local predators such as falcons, polar bears, and Arctic foxes.
Social animals are those animals that interact highly with other animals, usually of their own species (conspecifics), to the point of having a rec...