Bean goose

Latin Anser fabalis rossicus

Estonian Rabahani

Also known as: no known names

Status in Estonia

Migratory bird.

Description

The bean goose is a mostly dark, long-winged waterfowl with a dark head and neck. The inner and top wing coverts have prominent white borders. It is distinguishable from the greylag goose and the pink-footed goose by its orange legs; in flight, the top and lower sides of the wings are dark and the back is as dark as the sides. Many of them have a small white streak on their beak and resemble a greater white-fronted goose. The thinner neck, smaller head and slimmer beak and body distinguish it from the greylag goose.

Size

Body length 69–88 cm, wingspan 140–174 cm, body mass 3–3.6 kg.

Similar species

Pink-footed goose, greater white-fronted goose, greylag goose.

Distribution

It breeds in the tundra, raised bogs and river deltas in the northern coniferous forest zone. It winters in Western and Central Europe. The bean goose is a common migratory bird in Estonia.

Population

It does not breed in Estonia but is a very common migratory bird.

Occurrence in Estonia

It is seen in Estonia between March and May as well as September and November.

Diet

It eats only plant-based food, such as plant pieces and fruit.

Habitat

Its preferred habitats include bogs, flood-meadows and lakes. It breeds in isolated taiga raised bogs, river deltas, lakes, or tundra wetlands.

Nesting

It builds a nest on the ground near water under the shade of a tree or bush. It uses grass and feathers as nest building material. The female lays 4–8 eggs, which she incubates for 28–29 days. Meanwhile, the male guards the nest. Chicks can feed themselves soon after hatching and are able to fly roughly 40 days later.

Conservation status and protection

Not under protection. Birds of prey and predators pose a threat. Human activity in fields and meadows also poses a threat.

Distribution and population in Lääne County

The bean goose is a common migratory bird in Lääne County in the spring and autumn and can be found in Matsalu and Haapsalu bays as well as in the fields nearby. In most circumstances, bean geese socialise with their more numerous close relatives, the greater white-fronted geese.

Bean geese can be observed from Haeka and Rannajõe observation towers as well as Kirimäe birdwatching tower on Saunja Bay.