Fun Greylag Goose Facts For Kids

The greylag goose (also written as graylag goose and with the scientific name Anser anser) is a large gray goose that is the ancestor of most species of domestic geese. They originated from farmyard geese.

Also known as graylag geese, they are the bulkiest and largest wild geese native to Europe and the UK.

They belong to the order Anseriformes, family Anatidae, and subfamily Anserinae. Populations of native and wintering flocks of greylag geese were once only found in Scotland, but greylag geese have now been re-established in most parts of the UK by releasing these birds in suitable areas.

Some of these flocks have become mixed with Canada geese, resulting in a greylag Canada goose hybrid bird. They can be found near parks, river valleys, gravel pits, lakes, and reservoirs and are considered to be only semi-tame.

Compared to other species of gray geese, greylag geese have different details on their bill patterns, in their color, their neck and head pattern, and on their underwings.

There is also a difference between the western and eastern subspecies of greylag geese. The main difference between these birds is in the color of their bill.

To learn more interesting facts about this ancestor of the domestic goose, read on. For more relatable content, check out these nene goose facts and these African pygmy goose facts for kids.

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Greylag Goose Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a greylag goose?

The greylag goose is a species of bird that is related to the Old World domestic goose species.

What class of animal does a greylag goose belong to?

The greylag goose, Anser anser, belongs to the class of birds known as Aves.

How many greylag geese are there in the world?

There are estimated to be about 1,40,000 breeding birds of this species in Great Britain and around 88,000 birds in Iceland. The global population is estimated to be between 1,000,000-1,100,000 individuals.

Where does a greylag goose live?

Greylag geese can be found in the UK, Iceland, the Czech Republic, Scandinavia, Germany, Poland, and eastward of Russia. They can also be found spending winters in areas of Spain, the Netherlands, France, north Africa, and around the eastern Mediterranean. In North America, populations of domestic greylag geese can be found in states like New York.

They also migrate towards the Baltic states. Eastern greylag geese can be found in most of Asia, including China. They have also been found in New Zealand, and sometimes even in Australia.

What is a greylag goose's habitat?

Offshore islands, lowland freshwater marshes, and fens are the most common habitats of these birds during the breeding season. Outside of their breeding season, a greylag goose habitat can consist of lowland places like farmlands, wetlands, grasslands, salt marshes lakes, gravel pits, peat-bogs, and cereal fields.

Who do greylag geese live with?

Greylag geese are social birds and can be found in small groups and families, or in large flocks.

How long does a greylag goose live?

The average greylag goose lifespan is eight years long.

How do they reproduce?

The breeding season starts in May in Iceland and in April in Scotland. The breeding season starts a bit earlier in the rest of Europe.

Their breeding has mostly been studied in Scotland, where they use bushes and reeds to build their nests at an altitude that is high enough to protect the eggs and goslings from predators. These birds mostly mate for life but some of them do have multiple partners.

They usually lay between four and six eggs but overall the number can vary between three and 12.

A greylag goose egg is creamy white in color and is incubated only by the female parent. The eggs take 27-28 days to hatch and the goslings only leave the nest after completely drying out.

In about eight weeks the birds become completely independent but until then they live and feed under the supervision of their parents. It takes around two to three years for these birds to reach sexual maturity.

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of greylag geese is Least Concern according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.

Greylag Goose Fun Facts

What do greylag geese look like?

This large, bulky gray goose has dull-pink legs and an orangish-pinkish bill. It is overall brownish-gray, including the head. The plumage of these birds is plain brown or gray.

At the end of the bill is a thin white rim. It also has many dark marks on its belly.

The bill of the western subspecies of these birds is orange, while the eastern subspecies has a pink bill. The legs of this animal are orange, sometimes with a pinkish tint. A white greylag goose has also been found in some habitats.

How cute are they?

These birds are somewhat cute. With their color pattern of gray and brown and their black eyes, they have a very appealing look.

How do they communicate?

The only sound of communication known in these birds is a high-pitched nasal crackling noise that is trisyllabic.

How big is a greylag goose?

A greylag goose has a wingspan of 57.8-70.8 in (147-180 cm) and can be as long as 29.9-35 in (76-89 cm). It is one of the most huge and bulky birds in the UK and is much bigger than other species of geese like the bean goose and the swan goose.

How fast can a greylag goose fly?

The greylag goose can fly as fast as 4.3 mph (6.9 kph). It can run at a very rapid pace on the ground as well to avoid predators.

How much does a greylag goose weigh?

An adult greylag goose weighs around 6.4-8 lb (2.9-3.7 kg). The greylag goose is bigger than the kelp goose.

What are their male and female names of the species?

Males and females of this species are simply called male and female greylag geese (Anser anser).

What would you call a baby greylag goose?

Baby greylag geese are known as goslings.

What do they eat?

They eat a variety of food including oats, barley, root crops, peas, lentils, wheat, buckwheat, grasses, seeds, and cereal grains. They also eat aquatic crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish.

Are they friendly?

Greylag geese can be very territorial while nesting and they are one of the least friendly species of geese.

Would they make a good pet?

Although they are the ancestors of domesticated farmyard geese, they have now become predominantly wild animals and it is not recommended for people to get a pet greylag goose.

Did you know...

Although they're listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, these birds are protected in the UK.

This European bird (Anser anser) was traditionally eaten on September 29 each year, on the day of Michaelmas, to celebrate the archangel St. Michael. It used to be cooked with mustard and port to make a complete meal.

How many teeth do greylag geese have?

Greylag goose teeth are found in rows on their upper and lower jaws but the exact number of teeth that they have is not known.

Are greylag geese protected?

Although they are listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, under the Birds of Conservation Concern 4 (the Red List for Birds) in the UK, these birds are classified as Amber, meaning that they are protected. They are also protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981.

In the UK they have a degree of protection against acts ranging from hunting to consumption. This means that you cannot shoot a greylag goose.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our Toulouse goose facts and kea parrot facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable greylag goose coloring pages.