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Graylag Goose

Silhouette GeeseGeese
Graylag GooseAnser anser
  • ORDER: Anseriformes
  • FAMILY: Anatidae

Basic Description

Graylag Geese are one of the most common and conspicuous species of geese across much of Europe. Wild Graylag Geese are very rare in North America, but domestic geese (which are descended from Graylag) are common sights in farms and parks. In the wild, these big, loud, orange-billed geese nest in wetlands and lakes. They graze for food in grasslands and agricultural areas and form large flocks outside of the breeding season.

More ID Info
image of range map for Graylag Goose
Year-roundBreedingMigrationNonbreeding
Range map provided by Birds of the World
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Find This Bird

Look and listen for loud, large Graylag Geese in wetlands and open country, sometimes in very large flocks. In winter, most of the European population occurs in the Atlantic flyway stretching from Denmark to Spain. Wild Graylag Geese are very rare in North America, but you're likely to see domestic geese descended from Graylags in parks and farms. They can vary considerably in appearance, and if you report them to eBird, record them as "Graylag Goose (Domestic Type)."

Other Names

  • Ánsar Común (Spanish)
  • Oie cendrée (French)
  • Cool Facts