Anser albifrons - White-fronted Goose
Feather characters. Barbules are from short until medium length (0.6-1.5 mm). Pigmentation is absent, but in dry slides nodes may look very dark. Triangular nodes are located on distal end, covering 30%-60% of the total barbule length. On proximal end, nodal structures are visible but undeveloped and hardly swollen, and thus too small to qualify as nodes (15-20 per mm). An abrupt increase in size of nodes is seen distally along the barbules. In a very few cases triangular nodes may not be present. Villi are absent and internodes are occasionally kinked. Distribution of prongs along the barbules varies, mostly they are located on distal end of barbules, but they can also be found along the entire length, unequally distributed. Prongs are present on both sides of the pennulum, sometimes they are asymmetric. Their length varies but the longest prongs may reach a length between half and the entire length of the adjacent internode.
Field characters. Size 65-78 cm. Weight: male 2703 g (2330-3220), female 2456 g (1920-2830) (Dunning, 1993). Smaller and darker than Greylag. Adult differs from Greylag, Bean, and Pink-footed Goose in large, white patch at base of bill, irregular black bars on breast, and orange legs. Siberian rave albifrons has pink bill, Greenland race flavirostris has orange bill. Upper flanks edged white, forming distinct line; vent and under tail-coverts white. Fore-wing slightly paler than rest, but otherwise no obvious pattern. Juveniles without white forehead, black bars on belly absent, plumage browner and more mottled; solitary juveniles may be confused with Greylag Goose but White-fronted smaller and with orange legs.
Voice. Flight note a high-pitched and "laughing" two-syllable note: "kow-yow" or lyo-lyck".
Distribution. Does not breed in the area but is a common winter visitor in North Sea countries, parts of Italy, Balkan countries and Greece. Map: see MapIt.
Habitat. Outside breeding season, frequents large lowland pastures, meadows, marshes, or arable fields under clover and cereals.
Food. In winter quarters, grazes on leaves, stems, tubers, stolons, and seeds. Hardly any data from breeding grounds.