Anser anser

Colour: pale grey with pink legs, darker head and paler belly with a variable amount of black spotting, and an orange bill. Juveniles have no black speckles on breast and belly and have greyish legs.

Size: large (largest wild goose native to the UK and Europe), 76-89cm, wingspan 160cm.

Lifespan: 8 years, up to 20.

Where and when: the pond in Victoria Park, all year round.

Conservation status: amber (has been re-established by releasing birds in suitable areas. The only native population is now in Scotland).

Habitat

Greylag geese are found in freshwater habitats, commonly in urban areas like towns and gardens. They also graze farmland and feed on crops here. Common across Europe and Asia, where northern populations migrate to the warmer south in winter.

Diet

Herbivores – feed on grass, leaves, berries, though they can occasionally eat some animals like small fish and insects. Forage on the ground or in water.

Behaviour

Social birds, sometimes travelling in very large flocks, though this is with the exception of becoming territorial during nesting season, chasing geese and large birds away from their nests. When they are on land they can run very quickly, allowing them to chase intruders and escape predators.

Breeding

Monogamous – mate for life in an April to May breeding season. They nest on the ground among shrubs and rushes or reeds or floating vegetation.