Greylag Goose

Grey and white barred plumage with a pale grey forewing, dark bill (usually orange or pinkish-orange depending on the subspecies), and pinkish legs. Sexes are visually similar, though males are typically slightly larger.

Large grey body, bulky orange bill, pale grey forewing contrasting with darker flight feathers.

Length: 74-91 cm, Wingspan: 147-180 cm, Weight: 2.1-4.5 kg.

A loud, echoing honking call, very similar to the stereotypical domestic goose 'gaggle'.

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

Wetlands, marshes, lakes, tundra, and adjacent agricultural fields and pastures.

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

Nests on the ground in dense vegetation near water, laying 4-6 white eggs in early spring.

Bean Goose and Greater White-fronted Goose, distinguished by bill color and lack of white facial blaze.

Acts as a grazer that shapes wetland and grassland vegetation, and serves as prey for large predators.

Least Concern, with a stable or increasing population trend.

Easily observed near lakes, rivers, and agricultural fields; approach slowly to avoid flushing them.

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