Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsis
- Family
- Ducks, Swans, and Geese (Anatidae)
- Order
- Anseriformes
Overview
The barnacle goose (Branta leucopsis) is a species of goose that belongs to the genus Branta of black geese, which contains species with extensive black in the plumage, distinguishing them from the grey Anser species. Despite its superficial similarity to the brant goose, genetic analysis has shown its closest relative is the cackling goose.
Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to see it
Destination guides featuring this bird
Range and habitat
Breeds high Arctic eastern Greenland, Svalbard (north of Norway), Novaya Zemlya and nearby Kolguyev and Vaygach islands (northwestern Russia); winters to coastal northern British Isles, southern Scandinavia, and northwestern Europe.
Range description: AviList Global Avian Checklist.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Barnacle goose
- eBird: sightings, maps and photos
- xeno-canto: sound recordings
- Birds of the World: full species account (subscription)
- BirdLife DataZone: status and threats
- IUCN Red List (threat status)
- AviList global checklist (taxonomy)
Last updated September 29, 2026.