Pink-footed Goose
Anser brachyrhynchus

>> GENERAL >>>>>

– medium-sized goose, considerably smaller than Greylag Goose
– diurnal/nocturnal migrant
– migrates in small to medium flocks in formation, often mixed with other geese

>> VISUAL ID >>>>>

BIF237_MPU_I1Q5229_141105_pfgoo_3_d_north-sea_offshore
Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus
BIF0237, 05/11/2014, North Sea, offshore, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF238_MPU_I1Q5230_141105_pfgoo_8_d_north-sea_offshore
Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus
BIF0238, 05/11/2014, North Sea, offshore, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF239_MPU_I1Q5250_141105_pfgoo_flock_d_north-sea_offshore
Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus
BIF0239, 05/11/2014, North Sea, offshore, Germany, Mathias Putze


Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus
Northern Pintail Anas acuta
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis

BIF1066, 11/11/2016, North Sea, Germany, Roland Neumann

>> ACOUSTIC ID >>>>>

– a variety of different calls in flight and during migration
– all calls are highly variable, different transitional forms exist
– (gradual) differences between sexes and age classes likely
– two common call groups during migration: honks and squeals
– honks and squeals with regular disharmonic partials
– the modulation of honks is very variable
– honks and squeals uttered singly or as doublets like in Bean Goose
– short calls (chuckle) when irritated or disturbed (observers)
– chuckles uttered singly or in series


– overview –

– detail –
Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchos, AD, calls in flight (honk)
BIF3030, 30/01/2022, Caerlaverock, Scotland, Patrick Franke


– overview –

– detail –

– detail –
Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchos, AD, calls in flight (honk, squeal, chuckle)
BIF3065, 30/01/2022, Caerlaverock, Scotland, Patrick Franke


– overview –



– detail –
Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchos, AD, calls in flight (honk, squeal)
European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria altifrons, AD

BIF0532, 02/07/2015, Möðrudalur, Iceland, Patrick Franke


– overview –

– detail –
Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchos, AD, calls in flight (honk, squeal)
BIF0533, 02/07/2015, Möðrudalur, Iceland, Patrick Franke


– overview –


– detail –
Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchos, AD, calls in flight (squeal, honk)
BIF3048, 02/07/2015, Möðrudalur, Iceland, Patrick Franke

>> COMPARISON SPECIES >>>>>

Greylag Goose
Tundra Bean Goose
Taiga Bean Goose
Greater White-fronted Goose
Lesser White-fronted Goose

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