Greylag goose

Latin Anser anser (L.)
Estonian Hallhani

Also known as: grey goose.

Status in Estonia

Breeding and migratory bird

Description

The greylag goose is one of the largest geese in Estonia. Stockier than the bean goose, it has a thicker neck, a larger head and a thicker, pink beak. It has dull pink legs, large wings and a heavy-looking flight. The plumage is fairly evenly brownish grey, with a lighter head and neck. In flight, the wings’ contrasting light grey front edge is visible from both above and below.

Size

Height 74–84 cm, wingspan 149–168 cm, body mass 3–4.5 kg.

Similar species

Greater white-fronted goose, bean goose, pink-footed goose

Distribution

The greylag goose is commonly found in water bodies of Eurasia’s forest, steppe and desert zones. The main wintering grounds are in many parts of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Spain, the Mediterranean and Caspian Sea coastlines and Iran. It breeds primarily on Estonia’s western coast and islands, with some breeding on the islands of Northern Estonia.

Population

Estonia has 500–700 breeding pairs. The number declined near the end of the twentieth century. During their migration, up to tens of thousands of birds stop here.

Occurrence in Estonia

The first birds can be spotted in beach meadows and fields as early as the end of February. The majority arrive in March and depart between October and November. A few birds may also winter here.

Diet

It feeds exclusively on plants (aquatic plants, grass, roots, grains and more). It gets food by walking on the ground and rarely swims in water.

Habitat

It breeds in coastal reed beds, heavily vegetated coastal lakes and small islands. During migration, it gathers in large flocks in fields and grasslands along the shore, rarely venturing inland.

Nesting

The greylag goose nests on the edge of dense reed beds, building a huge pile of dried reed stalks and leaves as a nest. It lays 3–9 white hard-shelled eggs in the second half of April. During the breeding season, adult birds are extremely sensitive to disturbance. The chicks hatch around the second half of May. They are able to follow the female bird immediately after drying and the family leaves the nest. By the end of July, the chicks are capable of flying and the family stays together until next year’s breeding season.

Conservation status and protection

Not under protection. An adult greylag goose has few natural enemies. The primary threats include habitat loss or degradation caused by climate change and human activity, disturbance during the breeding season and illegal hunting. Chicks and eggs are threatened by small predators and birds. The greylag goose is a gamebird.

Distribution and population in Lääne County

The greylag goose is a common breeding and migratory bird in Lääne County’s coast and coastal lakes. In the spring, the newly arrived birds quickly begin nesting in the reed beds surrounding the Matsalu and Haapsalu bays as well as the lakes of Noarootsi. Several pairs of greylag geese nest on the islets of Väinameri.

Greylag geese create larger flocks throughout the second half of the summer, specifically in July and August. At that time, the flocks of geese here consist almost exclusively of greylag geese. They can be seen here until the beginning of October when they are joined by other types of geese that have arrived from tundra areas.

Greylag geese can be seen from birdwatching towers in Haeska, Põgari, Saunja Bay and the Sutlepa Sea.