Greylag goose facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Greylag goose
In St James's Park, London, England
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Anser
Species:	anser
Subspecies
A. a. anser (Linnaeus, 1758) Western greylag goose A. a. rubrirostris Swinhoe, 1871 Eastern greylag goose A. a. domesticus (Kerr, 1792) Domesticated goose
Green: breeding, orange: non-breeding, red: introduced
Synonyms
Anas anser Linnaeus, 1758

The greylag goose (Anser anser) is a species of large grey goose in the waterfowl family Anatidae. It is the largest goose. Its distribution is widespread. Birds from the north of its range in Europe and Asia migrate south to spend the winter in warmer places.

It is the type species of the genus Anser and is the ancestor of the domestic goose. It has been domesticated at least since 1360 BC. The genus name is from anser, the Latin for "goose".

Greylag geese travel to their northerly breeding grounds in spring, nesting on moorlands, in marshes, around lakes and on coastal islands. They normally mate for life and nest on the ground among vegetation. A clutch of three to five eggs is laid. The female incubates the eggs and both parents defend and rear the young. The birds stay together as a family group, migrating southwards in autumn as part of a flock, and separating the following year. During the winter they occupy semi-aquatic habitats, estuaries, marshes and flooded fields, feeding on grass and agricultural crops. Some populations, such as those in Southern England and in urban areas, are resident and occupy the same area year-round.

Images for kids

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  Head of an adult

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  Three domesticated hybrids of greylag geese at Koutavos Lagoon, Cephalonia, Greece.

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  Three eastern greylag geese (A. a. rubrirostris) at Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan, India

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  A crossbreed between a wild greylag goose and a domesticated swan goose (A. cygnoides domesticus), as evidenced by its thick neck and bulky head, both of which display vestigial patterning like certain domestic breeds

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  In a group, many pairs of eyes are on watch

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  Six eggs in the nest at Mekszikópuszta, Hungary

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  A group of gosling of greylag goose

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  Migrating flock

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  Ancient Egyptian stele showing Amun-Ra as goose, man, and ram. 25th dynasty, c. 700 BC.

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  Juno's sacred geese warn the Romans while the Gauls approach the Capitol in 390 BC. Lithograph after Henri-Paul Motte (1883)

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  Wood engraving "The Tame Goose, Anas anser" by Thomas Bewick, A History of British Birds, 1804

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  Variant with white "front"

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  In flight

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  Swimming

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  Detail

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  ID composite

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  Flock taking off over water

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  Egg, Collection Museum Wiesbaden

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  Female with chicks

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  Full body

See also

In Spanish: Ánsar común para niños