Bird Guide

Barnacle Goose vs Canada Goose

Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis)

Barnacle Goose

Branta leucopsis

Huge1.7 kgGrassland

The barnacle goose is a medium-sized goose, 55–70 cm (22–28 in) long, with a wingspan of 120–145 cm (47–57 in) and a weight of 1.21–2.23 kg (2.7–4.9 lb), with black legs and a small, stubby black bill. It has a white face and black head, neck, and upper breast. Its belly is white. The wings and its back are silver-grey with black-and-white bars that look like they are shining when the light reflects on it. During flight, a V-shaped white rump patch and the silver-grey underwing linings are visible.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Jochem verweij · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Alexis Lours · CC BY 4.0
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

Canada Goose

Branta canadensis

Huge2.8 kgGrassland

The black head and neck with a white "chinstrap" distinguish the Canada goose from all other goose species except the cackling goose and barnacle goose. (The latter, however, has a black breast and gray rather than brownish body plumage.) Some Canada geese come with a pepper-spotted or brown neck with brown plumage, and these are assumed to be a leucistic variety. On occasion, individuals with dark cheeks, white foreheads or white necks may be seen The seven subspecies of this bird vary widely in size and plumage details but all are recognizable as Canada geese.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Christian Kahle · CC0
Photo: Paul Round · CC0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Barnacle Goose and Canada Goose.