BARNACLE GOOSE
The barnacle goose (Branta leucopsis) belongs to the genus Branta of black geese. it contains species with largely black plumage, distinguishing them from the grey Anser species. Despite its superficial similarity to the brant goose, genetic analysis has shown it is an eastern derivative of the cackling goose lineage.
| Branacle Goose |
HABITAT
Barnacle geese frequently build their nests high on mountain cliffs, away from predators (foxes and polar bears), but also away from food. Like all geese, the goslings are not fed by the adults. Instead of bringing food to the newly hatched goslings, the goslings are brought to the ground. Unable to fly, the three-day-old goslings jump off the cliff and fall; their small size, feathery down, and very light weight helps to protect some of them from serious injury when they hit the rocks below, but many die from the impact. Arctic foxes are attracted by the noise made by the parent geese during this time, and capture many dead or injured goslings. The foxes also stalk the young as they are led by the parents to wetland feeding areas.
FOOD THEY EAT
Barnacle geese eat a wide variety of plants. When they reach the breeding sites they forage on snow-free patches, where the birds eat roots and mosses. Later in the summer grasses and sedges dominate the diet, together with a variety of herbs and horsetails.
BREEDING
The Barnacle Goose has started breeding in Iceland. The main breeding area is in Southeast Iceland. The first known breeding of Barnacle Geese was in East-Skaftafellssýsla in 1988. Now they have become quite common in some areas such as Hornafjörður and Glacier Lagoon. They migrate to the British Isles for the winter.
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