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| Brent Goose |
Brent Goose | Facts About Goose That Flies Over 3000 Miles
The Brent goose, also known as the Brent Goose, is a widespread species of waterfowl. This magnificent goose lives in coastal areas in North America and can also be seen in Europe and East Asia. This goose has a black head, neck and chest with a white spot on the throat. The rest of the body of the Brent goose is brown, black and cream colored. Read on for interesting facts and information about the Brent goose.
Where Are Brent Goose Found
The breeding range of the Brent goose, which flies more than 3000 miles, is in the Arctic mainly in the areas of Northwest, Alaska and Nunavut in Canada. Apart from North America, Brent goose also breed in Europe. Brent goose winter in North America along the Pacific coast from Alaska to Baja California and mainland Mexico and along the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to North Carolina.
Since the mid-1960s, more than 80 percent of the wintering population of Brent goose counted from Russia, Japan and North America has occurred in Baja California and other parts of northwestern Mexico. Brant geese are small dark-colored goose in appearance and have large wings that give them their distinctive strong flight. The geographic distribution range of this goose depends on the wintering, nesting and breeding season.
Scientific Name Of Brant Goose
The scientific name of Brant goose is Branta bernicla and Brant goose belong to the Aves class of birds. Anseriformes, family Anatidae and genus Branta. Apart from this, three different subspecies of this species are found in the world. These subspecies include Black Brant Goose, Dark-bellied Goose and Pale-bellied Goose but these have not been widely accepted yet.
Brant goose migrate and fly over 3000 miles ( 4828.032 kilometres ). The brent goose migration route is huge and can fly from the Arctic to North America, near Baja California or the Atlantic coast.
Habitat Of Brant goose
Brant goose has two distinct habitats one for breeding and other for wintering. Also their habitat is inland lakes, western coastal grasslands on islands and tundra. But small colonies have been seen breeding on islands of lakes in moist sediments of tundra grasslands.
These goose can be seen near estuaries, lakes and coastal lagoons. The non-breeding habitat of Brant goose includes water, estuaries and where eelgrass is abundant for food as it is an integral part of the diet of Brant goose.
How Brant Goose Look Like
Brant goose is a small type of goose which are highly migratory birds and their average length is about 22-26 inches. The tail of this goose is very short and is mainly black in color while the underside of the tail of Brant goose is white in color.
The upper part of this goose is dark brown and the underparts are also brown but it is barred and mostly brown with a light brown colour which is visible during flight. Brant goose is often misidentified due to its similarity with Canada goose. The head of Brant goose is black in colour but the colour or size may vary according to the subspecies.
The neck of Brant goose is short in size, head is small in size and their beak is small. All their subspecies have a black head, bill, breast, tail and legs. Apart from this, this goose has a series of white stripes near its black neck which is called a necklace. The colour of the belly varies according to their subspecies and subpopulations. The feathers of both male and female are similar except that the white necklace of male goose is larger than that of female. Read- Maned Wolf Characteristics And Maned Wolf Interesting Facts
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What Do Brant Goose Eat
Brant goose actually have a somewhat strict diet and most Brant goose only eat one species of seagrass which is known as eelgrass. Brant goose also eat other seagrasses but their primary food source is eelgrass.
Brant goose did not really eat other seagrasses in the past. Because eelgrass is susceptible to climate change and pollution its decline has led these birds to add other seagrasses to their diet.
Size Of Brant Goose
Brant goose are small species of goose with short necks that are mostly confused with Canada goose. The length of this goose species is about 22–26 inches and these goose are slightly larger than crested ducks which are 19.6–23.6 inches. The weight of the Brant goose is about 0.86–2.2 kg.
How Do Brant Goose Communicate
Brant goose use a variety of different sounds to communicate. The call of Brant goose sounds more like harsh croaks which brent swans produce while resting or flying.
How Fast Can Brant Goose Fly
Brant goose have a migration pattern and the speed of these birds can reach about 99 kilometers per hour. Apart from this, in special conditions, these goose can dive and this swan is mainly seen swimming in flocks.
Brant goose eat eelgrass or other sea grasses. Brant goose do not dive into water to eat but Brant goose dive into water as a defense mechanism to save themselves. Young swans or goslings and crippled Brant goose dive into water to escape predators or predators.
Brant Goose Nests
Brant goose mostly nest in groups in North America and Russia. Brant goose breed in low and barren areas on coastal tundra. Apart from this, these goose prefer to breed in sandy areas, on islands, deltas, lakes, and ponds and in shallow and vegetated upland areas. Brant goose mostly nest on small offshore islands or on gravel in small ponds to avoid predation.
The male and female goose are bonded for life. Their nesting site is in the lower Arctic where the habitat is grassy and there are lakes, ponds or estuaries nearby. Brant goose are monogamous and appear in pairs in the breeding area. The female lays about 3 to 5 eggs and the incubation period is about 24 days.
How Many Brant Goose Are There In The World
The conservation status of the Brant goose is of least concern and this has been confirmed by the IUCN. But the population of this goose is declining in one of its subspecies and there are many factors associated with their declining population such as hunting and loss of natural habitats etc.
The pale-bellied variety has a population of 250000 birds with the major population breeding in the Atlantic coast, Denmark, Scotland, England, Canada in winter and the far eastern islands of Canada. The dark-bellied variety also has a similar population and most of its population breeds in the Arctic and winters in the western region of Europe.
The black-bellied population is at 125000 birds and has declined as a result of human activities. The breeding ground of this subspecies prefers wintering in Alaska, Siberia, Canada, North America and as far as Asia.
How Long Do Brant Goose Live
The life span of the Brant goose is 28 years and the Atlantic Brent cannot live up to 28 years. In addition the Atlantic Brant has a shorter life span of approximately 21 years. Read- How Poisonous Is Blue-Ringed Octopus Read Interesting Facts
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Behavior Of Brant Goose
The behavior of Brant goose can be aggressive sometimes but Brant goose are not dangerous. Both baby and male Brant goose birds have a unique appearance which has a short neck with a black head which makes the Brant goose look beautiful.
Brant goose are widely kept as pet birds. But Brant goose are highly migratory bird species which require proper habitat for nesting and wintering so keeping them at home is not a good idea. Also, despite the Brant goose having a low conservation status, the population of this goose is decreasing due to habitat loss.
Brant Goose Facts For Kids
1. Why are they called Brent Geese?
The word Brent in the name Brent Geese is derived from the Norse word which means burnt and their scientific name Branta bernicla horota comes from the fact that this goose was considered to be the same species as the Barnacle Goose hence it is called Bernicla.
2. What are the characteristics of Brant goose
The Brent Goose is a small, dark-colored goose in appearance and is of similar size to the Mallard. The Brant Goose has a black head and neck and a brown back. The belly is either light or dark depending on the subspecies. The Brent Goose has a small white spot on its neck. The Brent Goose flies in flocks along the coast instead of flying in tight flocks like the Grey goose.
3. What do Brant goose eat?
Brant goose eat only one species of seagrass which is identified as eelgrass. Brant goose also eat other seagrasses but their primary food source is eelgrass.
4. How did the goose get its name?
The name goose originates from the English language and refers to a long-necked water bird. This name has been used to describe and differentiate a specific species of bird.
5. What are the characteristics of the goose?
goose always fly in a 'V' shape in the sky because it helps them fly 71% more. Interesting fact is that when the goose in front gets tired, the other goose takes his place. Apart from this, goose are very loyal. goose stay together for life and protect their partner.
6. What sound do Brant goose make?
Brant goose use a variety of different sounds to communicate. The call of a Brent goose sounds more like harsh croaks which Brant goose produce while at rest or in flight.
7. What color are Brant goose?
The upper part of the swan is dark brown and the underparts are also brown but it is barred and mostly brown with a lighter brown color that appears during flight.
8. What are goose facts for kids?
goose are mostly black, brown or white in appearance. goose have a heavier body and longer neck than ducks. They are also better at walking than other waterfowl and this is because the legs of goose are further forward on their bodies.
9. What are some lines about goose?
goose are monogamous and live in permanent pairs throughout the year. Also, goose are territorial only during the short nesting season and paired goose are more dominant. Paired goose eat more, two factors that lead to more babies.
10. What are some interesting facts about baby goose?
goose babies are covered with soft feathers called down. The babies keep their eyes open and leave the nest following their parents. The babies can swim. In less than two months, the babies have grown adult feathers and learn to fly.