Black Goose

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Black geese belong to the genus Branta and are waterfowl that live throughout North America and the northern coastal regions of the Palearctic.

Their legs and feet, which are black or very dark grey, distinguish them from all other true geese while their undertail and uppertail coverts are white, as are those of most geese. They also possess long, powerful beaks that are well-suited for probing into mud and water to find food and strong legs that are adapted for swimming and paddling across the surface of lakes, rivers, and oceans.

Additionally, some species of black geese exhibit distinctive white cheek patches and black bills that give them a striking appearance.

Most species of geese in the Brant genus are also smaller on average than other geese, though some very large taxa exist that rival the size of the swan goose (has reddish-orange legs) and the black-necked swan. The black geese derive their vernacular name from the prominent areas of black coloration found in all species.

The Eurasian species of black geese have a more coastal distribution compared to grey geese or white geese (genus Anser), which share the same general range but are not found far inland even in winter (except for occasional stray birds or individuals escaped from captivity). This is not true for the American and Pacific species, in whose ranges grey geese are absent for the most part.

There are six living species in the genus Brant:

Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis)

Barnacle geese are black geese known for their distinctive black-and-white plumage and unusual migration patterns. These birds breed primarily on Arctic islands in the North Atlantic and tend to form large flocks during the winter months when they forage for food. Despite their small size, barnacle geese are known for being graceful and beautiful animals, making them a popular choice among bird enthusiasts.

Canada Geese (Branta canadensis)

The Canada goose, also known as the Canadian goose, is a large, distinctive waterfowl species well-adapted to living in human-developed areas. Characterized by its black head and neck, white cheeks and chin, and brown body, this unique bird can be found in freshwater habitat, arctic and temperate regions of North America and introduced populations in Europe. A self-sustaining population derived from introduced Canada geese is also found in New Zealand.

Brant (Branta bernicla)

The brant goose is a species of goose that is distributed across the high Arctic tundra. There are several distinct breeding populations of the brant goose, which winter in particular areas along the northern temperate zone of the Atlantic and Pacific coastlines. Some resident populations can also be found in the United States and Western Europe. The geographic distribution of the brant goose is closely linked to environmental factors, such as temperature and precipitation levels, as well as prey availability.

Nene or Hawaiian Goose (Branta sandvicensis)

The nēnē, or Hawaiian goose, is a remarkable species that stands out in many respects. Unlike most other geese, it has no white coloring on its head or neck, and there is relatively little black coloration overall. Instead, the nēnē’s plumage looks much more similar to that of the swan goose. Due to these unique physical characteristics, the nēnē was previously classified as part of a monotypic genus Nesochen.

Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii)

Cackling geese are a species of goose found in North America. With their distinctive black head and neck, these birds stand out from other geese thanks to the chinstrap of white feathers that runs from the base of their beaks to the back of their necks. Unlike other types of geese, cackling geese primarily feed on plant material, such as grasses and grains. They are found all over North America, inhabiting many habitats ranging from coastal estuaries to boreal forests.

Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis)

The red-breasted goose is a medium-sized bird in the genus Branta from Eurasia. This species is distinct from other geese in its dark, sooty color and distinctive white markings. They breed mainly in Arctic Siberia, with smaller populations in the Gyda and Yamal peninsulas. They are typically found near lakes or wetlands with plenty of grassy or marshy vegetation where they can feed. Red-breasted geese form large, dense flocks while feeding or migrating but generally remain solitary when nesting or resting. Their long flights can cover great distances, and they are often seen migrating along the coastlines of both Europe and Asia.

Early Fossil Records of Black Geese

A number of supposed prehistoric grey geese have been described from North America, some from the same locations as species assigned to Branta.

Two bones discovered on Oahu indicate the presence of a gigantic waterfowl on this island in the past. Its relationships relative to this genus and the moa-nalos, which are enormous goose-like dabbling ducks, are currently unknown.

Two species have been described based on subfossil remains discovered in the Hawaiian Islands, where they went extinct during the prehistoric period:

  • Nēnē-nui or wood-walking goose, Branta hylobadistes (prehistoric) – Similar but hitherto undescribed remains are known from on Kauaʻi and Oʻahu.

  • Giant Hawaii goose, Branta rhuax (prehistoric), formerly Geochen rhuax —One species described from a subfossil

The relationships of the enigmatic Geochen rhuax, previously known only from parts of a single bird’s skeleton damaged by lava flow, were long unknown.

In 2013, it was redescribed as Branta rhuax after reexamining the subfossil material and comparing it with other subfossil bones from the Hawaiian island assigned to the genus Branta. Undetermined bones of a shelduck-like bird have been uncovered recently on Kaua’i, refuting the presumed relation between B. rhuax and the shelducks.

The former “Branta” minuscula is now classified as Anabernicula, a prehistoric American shelduck. On the other hand, a goose fossil from the Early-Middle Pleistocene of El Salvador is highly similar to Anser and, given its age and biogeography, is likely to belong to that genus or Branta.

Here are the other fossils found that belongs to the Branta genus:

  • Branta woolfendeni (Big Sandy Late Miocene of Wickieup, USA)

  • Branta thessaliensis (Late Miocene of Perivolaki, Greece)

  • Branta dickeyi (Late Pliocene – Late Pleistocene of W USA)

  • Branta esmeralda (Esmeralda Early Pliocene)

  • Branta howardae (Ricardo Early Pliocene)

  • Branta propinqua (Middle Pleistocene of Fossil Lake, USA)

  • Branta hypsibata (Pleistocene of Fossil Lake, USA)

Key Points

  • Black geese are waterfowl that live throughout North America and the northern coastal regions of the Palearctic.
  • They have black legs and feet, which distinguish them from all other true geese. Additionally, some species of black geese exhibit distinctive white cheek patches and black bills.
  • There are six living species in the genus Branta: Canada goose, Barnacle goose, Cackling goose, Brant or Brent goose, Red-breasted goose, and Nene or Hawaiian Goose.

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