Bird Guide

Brant Goose

Branta bernicla

Least ConcernPlantsGrasslandPlatform nestLarge · 1.3 kg

About the Brant Goose

The brant or brent goose is a small goose in the genus Branta. There are three subspecies, all of which winter along temperate-zone sea-coasts and breed on the high-Arctic tundra.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

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The brant is a small goose with a short, stubby bill. It measures 55–66 cm (22–26 in) long, 106–121 cm (42–48 in) across the wings and weighs 0.88–2.2 kg (1.9–4.9 lb). The under-tail is pure white, and the tail black and very short (the shortest of any goose). The body of the dark-bellied nominate subspecies B. b. bernicla is fairly uniformly dark grey-brown all over, the flanks and belly not significantly paler than the back. The head and neck are black, with a small white patch on either side of the neck.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

What the Brant Goose sounds like

Recording: Sonothèque ADVL · CC0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Sonothèque ADVL · CC0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Sonothèque ADVL · CC0 · via xeno-canto

Where the Brant Goose lives

Regular rangeRare visitor

Recorded as a rare visitor in Morocco, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Cuba, Philippines, Türkiye, Romania.

When to see the Brant Goose

Peak activity in May · a variable species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Side by side: Brant Goose vs Canada Goose · Brant Goose vs Cackling Goose · Barnacle Goose vs Brant Goose

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