The barnacle goose (Branta
leucopsis) is a winter visitor to the British Isles, flocks coming from two
separate homelands. Those that visit the Solway Firth area breed on the Arctic
island of Spitsbergen. Birds seen in western Scotland and Ireland are from
Greenland.
In past times, before people knew where their nesting
grounds were, people thought that the birds grew on trees. They also believed
that the barnacles seen on floating timber were embryos of the birds, and so
came to apply the same name to both the bird and the crustacean.
The barnacle goose is unmistakable, having a white face
contrasting with a black crown, neck and breast. The upper parts are grey with
white-edged black bars. Juvenile birds have duller head and neck plumage than
the adults. The sexes are alike. Barnacle geese are 23-27 inches in length
(58-68 cm).
Flocks of barnacle geese often fly in irregular, ragged
packs with a chain stringing out behind, but never in regular formation. Both
in the air and on the ground, family groups of barnacle geese continually
bicker with a yapping noise like that of small dogs. Rarely silent for long,
they make most noise when taking flight.
The favourite food of barnacle geese is coastal grass that
is periodically flooded by high tides. They will also graze on pastureland.
The mating display includes a characteristic wing-flicking
action with the paired birds rushing about and calling loudly as they do so.
Family bonds are strong. Although goslings can soon look
after themselves, they stay with their parents until the next breeding season.
For the annual migration, family groups join together in large travelling
parties.
No comments:
Post a Comment