Wild Geese

   Barnacle Goose

   Scientific name

   Branta leucopsis

   Gaelic name

   Cathan

Physical Description

One Goose, Two Geese!

Barnacle Geese have a white face, the forehead and neck black. The plumage is striking black, grey and white. Their legs and short beak are black.

They can measure 58-71 cm and weigh 1750 g which is as much heavy as 3 foot balls.

Feeding

Geese are herbivores. It means that they it grasses, seeds, roots... no meat.

Behaviour

Geese are seen in Scotland from October to March, usually in large and noisy colonies.

They spend the winter in Scotland for nesting.

Barnacle Geese make a "kaw" sound similar to the yap of a small dog!

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