The Greylag Goose is one of the largest and most widespread wild geese in the UK, known for its distinctive grey plumage and loud, honking call. It is commonly found in wetlands, lakes, and coastal areas, and has also adapted to farmland and urban parks. The Greylag Goose is the ancestor of most domestic geese and is a familiar sight across much of the country.

How to Identify a Greylag Goose:

• Head: Large and greyish-brown, with a stout pink or orange bill.
• Body: The body is robust and mainly grey, with paler underparts and a white belly. The upperparts are marked with darker grey-brown barring.
• Beak: Thick and pink or orange, with a slightly hooked tip.
• Wings: Broad and grey, with darker flight feathers. When in flight, the wings show a prominent pale grey patch on the upper surface.
• Legs: Pink or orange, sturdy and adapted for walking on land.

Description and Statistics:

• Size: 74-84cm in length.
• Wingspan: 149-168cm.
• Weight: 2.3-4.1kg.
• Sexual Dimorphism: Males and females are similar in appearance, although males tend to be slightly larger.

Breeding, Nesting and Rearing Habits:

• Greylag Geese are monogamous and often pair for life.
• Nests are typically built on the ground near water, using vegetation to create a large, well-concealed structure.
• The female lays a clutch of 4-6 eggs, which she incubates for about 27-28 days.
• Goslings are precocial and can swim and feed themselves shortly after hatching, though they remain with their parents for protection and guidance.

The Greylag Goose in the UK:

The Greylag Goose is a native species in the UK and has a long history of residency. The population is bolstered by migratory birds from Iceland and Scandinavia during the winter months. The adaptability of the Greylag Goose to various habitats, including agricultural and urban areas, has allowed it to thrive across the UK.

Sources:

• The RSPB: https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/greylag-goose/
• The British Trust for Ornithology: https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/greylag-goose