Branta ruficollis
Probably the most striking of all geese, the Red-breasted goose is easily recognisable.
Habitat
Breeds on the Russian arctic tundra, winters in eastern Europe, feeding mainly on farmland and roosting on freshwater lakes or the sea.
Voice
Repeated, jerky kik-yoik, kik-yik in flight.
Range
Up to 70% of Red-breasted Geese congregate in winter at just two roost sites on the Shabla and Durankulak lakes on the Black Sea coast of north-east Bulgaria. Other areas are in Ukraine, Romania and southern Russia. Staging grounds in Kazakhstan. Breeding grounds in artic Russia.
Threats
Dependence on a very small number of winter roosts where land-use change (shift from winter wheat crops to others which are unsuitable as food), illegal hunting, and especially disturbance from hunting affect numbers.
See them at a WWT centre
Slimbridge, Arundel, Castle Espie, London, Martin Mere, National Centre Wales and Washington.
