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Pink-footed goose

Scientific name: Anser brachyrhynchus

Field notes

Appearance

Medium-sized goose with distinctive pink feet and bill, gray-brown plumage on back and wings, and a darker head and neck. Adults show clear contrast between dark upper body and lighter underparts; no notable sexual dimorphism in plumage.

Size and weight

Males: 1.8–2.3 kg, females: 1.6–2.0 kg. Body length 60–75 cm.

Habitat

Pink-footed geese inhabit open tundra, moorland, and grassland across subarctic and arctic regions. They favor areas near water with access to grazing fields and prefer low-lying terrain with minimal vegetation cover.

Distribution

Breed in Svalbard, eastern Greenland, and parts of Russian arctic. Winter primarily in Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, and northern France, with smaller populations in the UK and Germany.

Diet

Primary grazers consuming grasses, clover, and other vegetation; in autumn and migration periods they also feed on cereal crops, potatoes, and agricultural stubble.

Behaviour

Highly gregarious, moving in flocks year-round with strong flock cohesion. Most active during early morning and late afternoon; spend midday resting on open water or grassland. Undertake long-distance migrations between arctic breeding grounds and temperate wintering areas.

Hunting tips

Look for flocks on open grassland and stubble fields; track fresh droppings and grazing marks to locate roosting and feeding areas. Approach from downwind across open ground or from water; use natural contours and ditches for cover. Early morning and late afternoon movements to feeding grounds offer optimal opportunities; decoys are effective when positioned in active feeding areas.

Whole weight

This species is logged by whole weight — the animal weighed entire, as taken.

Where it is hunted

Listed as huntable in 6 countries in Huntify.

Names in other languages

Current language: en

These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.