Lesser White-fronted Goose - Anser erythropus

Description

The smallest "grey goose", like White-fronted Goose, with pink bill and orange legs but the white on the adult's forehead extends much further towards the crown. The prominent yellow eye ring is diagnostic. It is not much bigger than a Mallard and is closely related to the larger, more common, White-fronted Goose.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Breeds on marshes and bogs in boreal mountains, generally in willow and birch zones

Life History

Breeds in Arctic Eurasia and winters in southern Europe.

UK Status

Now very rare in Europe and occurs in Britain less than annually

VC55 Status

Extremely rare - an adult was at Rutland Water from 10th December 2004 to 9th January 2005

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Lesser White-fronted Goose
Species group:
Birds
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Anseriformes
Family:
Anatidae
Records on NatureSpot:
1
First record:
09/01/2005 (Tim Caldicott)
Last record:
09/01/2005 (Tim Caldicott)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

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