Greylag Goose

Grey-brown plumage with barred darker brown markings on the back and wings, a pale grey forewing, and a whitish belly with occasional dark blotches. Sexes are visually similar, though males tend to be slightly larger.

Massive orange or pinkish bill, pale grey forewing contrasting with darker flight feathers, and grey-brown neck and head.

Length: 74-91 cm, Wingspan: 147-180 cm, Weight: 2.5-4.1 kg

A loud, high-pitched honking call, very similar to a domestic goose.

Herbivorous; grazes on grasses, grains, roots, shoots, and agricultural crops.

Open wetlands, lakes, marshes, agricultural fields, and coastal estuaries.

Partial migrant; northern populations migrate south for the winter, while western and central European populations are largely resident.

Nests on the ground near water, often in reed beds or on islets. Lays 4 to 6 creamy-white eggs, incubated mainly by the female.

Bean Goose and Greater White-fronted Goose; distinguished by the Greylag's larger pale forewing and massive orange bill.

Acts as a seed disperser and helps maintain grassland and wetland ecosystems through grazing.

Least Concern, with a stable and large population trend globally.

Look near lakes, rivers, marshes, and agricultural fields. They are quite habituated in many public parks and can be approached closely.

The Greylag Goose is the ancestor of most domestic goose breeds and was one of the first birds to be domesticated by humans thousands of years ago.