Pink-footed Goose facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pink-footed Goose |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Subfamily: |
Anserinae
|
| Tribe: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species: |
A. brachyrhynchus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Anser brachyrhynchus Baillon, 1834
|
|
The Pink-footed Goose (its scientific name is Anser brachyrhynchus) is a type of goose. These geese travel long distances, meaning they are migratory birds. They spend their summers breeding in places like eastern Greenland, Iceland, and Svalbard. When winter arrives, they fly south to warmer areas in northwest Europe, especially Great Britain, the Netherlands, and western Denmark.
This goose is a medium-sized bird. It is usually about 60–75 cm (24–30 inches) long. Its wings can spread out to about 135–170 cm (53–67 inches) wide. A Pink-footed Goose typically weighs between 1.8–3.4 kg (4–7.5 pounds). It has a short beak that is bright pink in the middle, with black at the base and tip. As its name suggests, it also has pink feet! Its body is grey-brown, while its head and neck are a darker brown. The area around its tail (rump) is white, and its tail is grey with a wide white tip.
Contents
Life Cycle and Habits
Pink-footed Geese often build their nests on cliffs. These cliffs are usually found close to glaciers. Nesting in these high places helps protect them from animals that might try to eat their eggs or young, especially the Arctic fox.
Nesting and Young
In Iceland, the female goose lays about three to six eggs in early to mid-May. In Svalbard, they lay eggs a bit later, in late May. The eggs are kept warm for about 26–27 days. This process is called incubation.
Once the goslings (baby geese) hatch, they quickly leave the nest. The parents lead them on foot to the nearest lake. The young geese learn to fly, or "fledge," after about 56 days.
Migration Patterns
These geese are known for their long journeys. They start their flight south from mid-September to early October. Then, they begin their journey back north from mid-April to early May.
What They Eat
Pink-footed Geese are almost entirely vegetarian. In the summer, they eat many different kinds of plants found in the tundra. They find food both on land and in the water.
In winter, they mostly eat crops like oilseed rape, sugar beet, and potatoes. They also graze on various types of grasses. Sometimes, when many geese feed in one area, they can cause a lot of damage to farm crops.
Images for kids
-
Eggs, Collection Museum Wiesbaden
See also
In Spanish: Ánsar piquicorto para niños
