Greylag Goose
Anser anser
The Greylag Goose is the primary ancestor of almost all domestic goose breeds in Europe.
- Scientific name
- Anser anser
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Anseriformes › Anatidae › Anser
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- increasing
- Biome
- wetland
- Habitat
- Freshwater marshes, lakes, damp grasslands, and estuaries.
- Diet
- Herbivorous; primarily grasses, roots, tubers, and spilled agricultural grains.
- Range
- Europe, North Asia, China, North Africa
- Size
- Length 74-91 cm; Wingspan 147-180 cm
- Lifespan
- 10 to 20 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat degradation, water pollution, and lead poisoning from ingesting fishing weights or spent shot.
- Safe to approach?
- Generally harmless but can be very defensive of nests or young. If a goose hisses or flaps its wings, maintain a distance of at least 5 meters and back away slowly. They are non-venomous; if bitten or pecked, wash the area with soap and water to prevent infection.
The greylag goose ( Anser anser ) is a large species of goose in the waterfowl family Anatidae. It has mottled and barred grey and white plumage and an orange beak and pink legs. A large bird, it measures between 74 and 91 centimetres (29 and 36 in) in length, with an average weight of 3.3 kilograms (7.3 lb). Its distribution is widespread, with birds from the north of its range in Europe and Asia migrating southwards to spend the...
Photo: Imran Shah, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist
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