Red-breasted Goose
\nThe
Red-breasted Goose (
Branta ruficollis) is a
goose of the
genus Branta, closely related to the
Brent Goose (
Branta bernicla).
All the
species of the
Branta genus are distinguished by their general dark sooty colour, relieved in some by way by white of greater or less purity, and as a distinction from the members of the genus
Anser, which are known as grey geese.
Red-breasted Goose breeds in arctic
Europe, often close to nests of large
birds of prey, such as Peregrine Falcons. This helps to protect this small goose from predators such as the
Arctic Fox.
The goose winters in south eastern Europe. It is a rare vagrant to
Britain and other western European countries, where odd birds are sometimes found with Brent flocks.
The bird is unmistakeable, but can be surprisingly difficult to find amongst Brent Geese due to its small size. The red also tends to look black at long distances.
The Red-breasted Goose is officially classed as Vulnerable as over 80% of the population roost during the winter at just five sites, with nearby feeding areas threatened by changes in land-use.
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