Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsis

>> GENERAL >>>>>

– medium-sized goose, considerably smaller than Greylag Goose
– diurnal migrant, but regularly nocturnal as well
– migrates in medium to large flocks in formation
– very vocal

>> VISUAL ID >>>>>


Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis, AD
BIF7028, 26/01/2023, Amrum, Germany, Mathias Putze

Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis, AD
BIF7029, 26/01/2023, Amrum, Germany, Mathias Putze
BIF025_MPU_PMA7666_110225_barngoo-3_d_havelland
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis, 2CY (left), AD (centre)
BIF0025, 25/02/2011, Havelland, Germany, Mathias Putze
BIF604_MPU_MG_0314_090214_barngoo-2_d_dollartniederung
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis
BIF0604, 14/02/2009, Dollartniederung, Germany, Mathias Putze

Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis, AD
BIF7031, 31/01/2023, Amrum, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF605_MPU_PMA5396_110224_barngoo-1_gwfgoo-1-AD_d_havelland
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis
Greater White-fronted Goose Anser a. albifrons
BIF0605, 24/02/2011, Havelland, Germany, Mathias Putze

Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis, AD
BIF7030, 30/01/2023, Amrum, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF606_MPU_I1Q6143_131111_barngoo-5_glgoo-2_d_north-sea
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis
Greylag Goose Anser a. anser
BIF0606, 11/11/2013, North Sea, offshore, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF607_MPU_I1Q7111_140314_barngoo-8_d_havelland
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis
BIF0607, 14/03/2014, Havelland, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF608_MPU_I1Q6156_131111_barngoo-13_d_north-sea
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis
BIF0608, 11/11/2013, North Sea, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF609_MPU_MG_0374_090214_barngoo-FL_d_dollartniederung
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis
BIF0609, 14/02/2009, Dollartniederung, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF610_MPU_I1Q6164_131111_barngoo-10_d_north-sea
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis
BIF0610, 11/11/2013, North Sea, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF611_MPU_MPU2424_111016_barngoo-FL_d_north-sea
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis
BIF0611, 16/10/2011, North Sea, Germany, Mathias Putze


Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis
Northern Pintail Anas acuta
Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus
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
– differences between sexes
– 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 series
– short calls (chuckle) when irritated or disturbed (observers)
– chuckles uttered singly or in series


– overview –

– detail –
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis, call in flight (HONK)
BIF3670, 02/02/2022, Caerlaverock, Scotland, Patrick Franke


– overview –

– detail –
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis, call in flight (HONK)
BIF3050, 02/02/2022, Caerlaverock, Scotland, Patrick Franke


– overview –

– detail –
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis, call in flight (HONK), wing sound
BIF3049, 02/02/2022, Caerlaverock, Scotland, Patrick Franke


– overview –

– detail –
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis, call in flight (HONK, SQUEAL)
BIF3033, 30/01/2022, Caerlaverock, Scotland, Patrick Franke


– overview –

– detail –
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis, call in flight (HONK)
BIF0087, 30/01/2022, Caerlaverock, Scotland, Patrick Franke


– overview –

– detail –
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis, call in flight (HONK)
BIF0026, 26/12/2014, Gollwitz, Germany, Patrick Franke


– overview –

– detail –
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis, call in flight call (HONK)
BIF1529, 18/02/2017, Cuxhaven, Germany, Patrick Franke


– overview –

– detail –
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis, call in flight (HONK)
BIF2941, 21/04/2019, Darß, Germany, Patrick Franke

>> COMPARISON SPECIES >>>>>

Canada Goose (v)
Brent Goose (v) (a)
Red-breasted Goose

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