Bird Guide

Bar-headed Goose vs Lesser White-fronted Goose

Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus)

Bar-headed Goose

Anser indicus

Huge2.2 kgWetland

The bird is pale grey and is easily distinguished from any of the other grey geese of the genus Anser by the black bars on its otherwise white head. It is also much paler than the other geese in this genus. In flight, its call is a typical goose honking. A mid-sized goose, it measures 71–76 cm (28–30 in) in total length and weighs 1.87–3.2 kg (4.1–7.1 lb).

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Bar-headed Goose
Recorded by Sonothèque ADVL · Call · Arrondissement of Avranches (near Bréville-sur-Mer), Manche, Normandy, France · CC0
Photo: Rohitjahnavi · CC BY 4.0
Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser erythropus)

Lesser White-fronted Goose

Anser erythropus

Huge1.8 kgGrassland

The two white-fronted goose species differ little other than in size (the lesser, at 53–66 cm (21–26 in) length and with a 120–135 cm (47–53 in) wingspan, is not much bigger than a mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)), but both may be readily distinguished from the greylag goose by their bright orange legs and their mouse-coloured upper wing-coverts. The greylag goose has a flesh-coloured bill and legs and the upper wing-coverts are bluish-grey. Both white-fronted goose species have a very conspicuous white face and broad black bars which cross the belly.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Hans Norelius from Älvsjö, Sweden · CC BY 2.0

Where you might meet both

And 2 more countries.

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Bar-headed Goose and Lesser White-fronted Goose.