bird family barred grey white plumage orange legs large bird measures centimetres length average weight kilograms distribution widespread birds north range europe asia migrating southwards spend winter warmer places type species genus ancestor domestic having early genus latin travel northerly breeding grounds spring nesting marshes lakes coastal islands normally mate life nest ground vegetation clutch eggs laid female eggs parents defend rear young birds stay family group migrating southwards autumn flock separating following year winter occupy semi aquatic habitats marshes flooded fields feeding grass consuming agricultural crops taxonomy member family described swedish naturalist transferred years later new genus erected french zoologist type species subspecies recognised western breeds iceland north central europe eastern breeds romania turkey russia eastwards northeastern china subspecies ranges meet species including canada occasionally mute swan animals happened years ago domestic breed known domestic subspecies able offspring sharing characteristics wild birds description largest grey genus lightly built domestic relative body thick long neck large head bill pink legs feet orange pink bill white brown nail hard material tip upper centimetres long wing length centimetres tail centimetres bill centimetres long centimetres weighs kilograms mean weight kilograms wingspan centimetres males generally larger females sexual pronounced eastern subspecies larger nominate subspecies average plumage brown darker head paler breast belly variable black spotting pale grey fore wing noticeable bird flight stretches wings ground white line bordering upper flanks wing light coloured contrasting darker flight feathers plumage patterned pale fringes feathers juveniles differ lack black breast belly legs loud similar domestic ground flight subtle variations different circumstances individual able identify known voices sound flock resembles whistle lightly adults threatened angered distribution habitat species distribution nominate subspecies breeds iceland norway sweden finland northern russia poland eastern hungary romania breeds locally united_kingdom denmark germany austria czech_republic slovakia macedonia eastern race extends eastwards broad asia china european birds migrate southwards mediterranean region north_africa asian birds migrate iran pakistan northern india bangladesh eastward china north_america feral domestic similar occasional seen wild new_zealand probably originated escape similar thing happened australia feral birds established east southeast country breeding quarters found scattered marshes lakes little islands way sea like dense ground cover rushes heather bushes willow winter quarters frequent salt marshes freshwater marshes flooded fields pasture near lakes rivers streams visit agricultural land feed winter rice beans crops moving night sand banks coast mud banks lakes large numbers immature birds year near baltic_sea great_britain numbers declined breeding bird retreating north breed wild outer northern mainland scotland 20th century feral populations established england populations increasingly coming contact behaviour feed chiefly grasses short actively growing grass found grazing sheep cows low nutrient status need feed time passes rapidly gut frequently sea taken water plants floating eat grass leaves grain feed growing crops especially night known feed wheat root crops consumed coast eaten 1920s britain pink discovered potatoes edible started feeding waste potatoes followed suit 1940s regularly searches fields normally pair life courtship occurs time maturity nest ground heather rushes dwarf shrubs floating vegetation built pieces reed heather grasses moss mixed small feathers typical clutch eggs fewer eggs larger numbers unusual eggs white soon stained average millimetres laid successive days starts laid female lasts days male remains guard near chicks able leave nest soon hatching parents involved care soon learn food fully fledged weeks time parents regain ability fly main wing tail feathers month earlier immature birds undergo similar traditional safe locations vulnerability birds form flocks advantage birds individuals group allows rest feed having constantly alert approach predators eggs hatch grouping families occur enabling defend young joint actions attacking predators driving predator return mate triumph followed low pitched neck extended forward parallel ground mate young kind young stay parents family group migrating larger flock adults drive away newly established breeding territory following year europe patterns migration understood follow traditional routes known staging sites sites young learn locations parents normally stay life leave northern breeding areas relatively late autumn example completing departure iceland november start return migration early january birds breed iceland british isles far south spain north_africa migrate balkans turkey iraq winter human culture revered linked goddess healing forerunner fertility goddess cities delta years ago sun god rome associated goddess love fat sacred birds kept rome raised alarm attacked role fertility survives modern british tradition nursery rhyme preserves sexual overtones lady chamber sexual meaning tradition pulling derives tradition eating bone believed powers festival time driven thousand strong flocks foot farms london market covering miles day farmers painted feet tar sand protect road wear walked images birds resembling eastern race like modern unlike western pink painted feathers best primary feathers left wing bent away eyes right handed writers feathers served arrows subject pioneering studies behaviour gallery
Greylag goose