Taiga Bean Goose

Overview

The taiga bean goose (Anser fabalis) is a species of migratory goose that breeds in northern Europe and Asia and winters further south on both continents. It was recognised as a species separate from the tundra bean goose by the International Ornithologists' Union and the American Ornithological Society in 2007, although some other authorities still consider them a single species.

Identification

• Length ranges from 68 to 90 cm, with a wingspan of 140 to 174 cm and a weight of 1.7–4 kg.
• The bill is black at the base and tip with an orange band across the middle, and the legs and feet are bright orange.
• Upper wing-coverts are dark brown with narrow white fringes.
• The voice is described as a loud honking.

Habitat

This species breeds in northern Europe and Asia and migrates south to winter in Europe and Asia. It is a rare winter visitor to Great Britain, with regular flocks found in the Yare Valley in Norfolk and the Avon Valley between Glasgow and Edinburgh in Scotland.

Did you know?

The species name fabalis is derived from the Latin faba, meaning broad bean, reflecting its historical habit of grazing in bean field stubbles during winter.