ANSER - Grey Geese
Grey Geese belong to the Anser genus and include about seven species including the Bar-headed Goose, Bean Goose, Greylag Goose, Lesser White-fronted Goose, Pink-footed Goose, Swan Goose, and the White-fronted Goose all seen at WWT Slimbridge.
The Grey Geese (Anser) all have pink or orange legs, the neck, body, and wings are grey or white, with blackish primary feathers, several species have white on their heads, and they all have white under and upper tail coverts.
BRANTA - Black Geese
Black Geese belong to the Branta genus and include about six species including the Barnacle Goose, Brent Goose, Cackling Goose, Canada Goose, Hawaiian Goose, and Red-breasted Goose most of which can be found at WWT Slimbridge.
Black Geese (Branta) all have prominent areas of black in their plumage. Their legs and feet are black or dark grey, they have black beaks and large areas of black on their head and neck.
CHEN - White Geese
White Geese belong to the Chen genus and include about three species including the Emperor Goose, Ross's Goose, and Snow Goose. These geese are sometimes grouped under the Anser family of Grey Geese.
These three geese all have reddish beaks and legs, black wing-tips, and a white head with no markings. The Snow Goose has two distinct colour morphs which is either white (snows) or grey-blue (blues).
Non Geese - Goose by name only
There are also a number of birds found at WWT Slimbridge which have ‘Goose’ in their name but in fact
are not actually geese, such as: -
Andean Goose – related to the shelduck: family Anatidae, Subfamily Tadorninae, Genus Chloephaga.
Ashy Headed Goose – related to the shelduck:, family Anatidae, Subfamily Tadorninae, Genus Chloephaga.
Blue Winged Goose - closer to dabbling ducks, of the family Anatidae, Genus Cyanochen.
Cape Barren Goose – closer to dabbling ducks, of the family Anatidae, Genus Cereopis.
Magpie Goose – is in its own family, the Anseranatidae.
Magellan Goose – related to the shelduck: family Anatidae, Subfamily Tadorninae, Genus Chloephaga.
Orinoco Goose – related to the shelduck: family Anatidae, Subfamily Tadorninae, Genus Neochen.
Pygmy Goose – is a perching duck: family Anatidae, Genus Nettapus.
Spur-Winged Goose – related to the shelduck: family Anatidae, subfamily Plectropterinae.
Photos copyright of ©Nigel Key
Click for larger image
Bar-Headed Goose
