Red-breasted Goose Bird Details

Branta ruficollis
Red-breasted Goose
laal stan vaalee hans
Peter Simon Pallas, 1769
Anseriformes (DUCKS)
Anatidae
Branta
  • Breeding Range: Russia (Siberia).
  • Wintering Range: Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Greece, and occasionally other parts of southeastern Europe.
  • India: northern parts of the country

    • Appearance :
    Strikingly beautiful goose with a black head and neck, and bright reddish-brown patches on the sides of its face and breast. The back and wings are black, with white flanks and belly. White markings around the face and neck. Short bill and legs.
    Behaviour :
    Migratory, travels in large flocks. Social birds, often seen foraging in groups. Known for high-pitched, musical calls. Feeds during the day in fields and marshlands, and rests at night in water bodies or coastal areas.
    Habitat :
    Breeds in the tundra and arctic regions of Siberia. Winters in grasslands, wetlands, and coastal areas, often near rivers or lakes.
    Diet :
    Herbivorous, feeding mainly on grasses, leaves, and grains. During winter, they also consume agricultural crops like wheat, barley, and maize.
    Conservation Status :
    Vulnerable
    Distribution :
    Breeds in Arctic Siberia, particularly along the Taymyr Peninsula. Winters in parts of southeastern Europe, especially in countries like Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece.
    Population Size :
    Estimated global population is around 56,000 to 57,000 individuals.
    Life Span :
    Typically 10-15 years in the wild.
    Body And Tarsus:
    • Body: Compact and medium-sized goose with striking red, black, and white plumage. The body is mostly black with a contrasting reddish-brown breast and face patch.
    • Tarsus Length: Approximately 50-60 mm.
    Head And Bill :
    • Head: Black head with distinctive reddish-brown patches around the face. The contrast with white borders makes the face very noticeable.
    • Bill: Short, black bill
    • Bill Length: Typically measuring around 20-25 mm in length.
    Length :
    Total length ranges from 53 to 56 cm (21 to 22 inches).
    Neck :
    Short and black, with white markings around the red breast patch.
    Size :
    A small to medium-sized goose compared to other geese species, with compact proportions.
    Tail Details :
    • Tail: Short and squared.
    • Tail Length: Approximately 6-10 cm.
    • Feathers: The feathers are thick and smooth, providing insulation. Black feathers dominate the body with vivid red patches and white markings on the face and flanks.
    Weight :
    Weighs between 1.2 to 1.6 kg (2.6 to 3.5 pounds).
    Wing :
    Pointed wings adapted for long migratory flights. They are broad for sustained gliding.
    Wing Span :
    Wingspan ranges from 120 to 135 cm (47 to 53 inches).
    Facial Feature :
    Distinctive reddish-brown face patch with white borders and black markings around the head. The black head contrasts strongly with the red and white.
    Nest Details :
    • Nest: Nests are usually built on the ground in the tundra, often near water. They often nest close to birds of prey like peregrine falcons or snowy owls to help protect their eggs from predators.
    • Nest Made Up Of: The nest is made of moss, grass, and down feathers from the female.
    Breeding Season :
    The breeding season begins in late June or early July.
    Nesting Season :
    The nesting season typically lasts from mid-June to early August.
    Egg Color :
    Creamy white or pale brown.
    Egg Length :
    Approximately 70-80 mm.
    Egg Width and Weight :
    • Egg Width: Around 48-54 mm.
    • Egg Weight: Around 100 grams per egg.
    Clutch Size :
    3 to 7 eggs per clutch, with an average of about 4-5 eggs.
    No. of Broods :
    One brood per year.
    Incubation Period :
    About 24-25 days.
    Nestling Period :
    Goslings leave the nest within a day or two after hatching and are cared for by both parents until they are ready to fly, which takes around 35-40 days.
    Vocalization :
    High-pitched, yapping calls similar to "ki-ki-ki" sounds, especially during flight or when alarmed.
    Sex Demorphism :
    Males tend to be slightly larger.
    Migration Details :
    • Migration Pattern: Strongly migratory. They breed in Siberia and migrate to southeastern Europe during winter. Travels in large flocks.
    • Migration Period: Migrates south from September to October and returns to breeding grounds in April to May.
    • Migration Route: Breeds in Arctic Siberia, particularly along the Taymyr Peninsula, and migrates to southeastern Europe, including Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and occasionally Greece for wintering. Some wintering birds are also seen in the Caspian Sea region.

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