Graylag goose chicks grazing cover photo - 77213789

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The greylag goose Anser anser is a bird in the waterfowl family Anatidae. It has mottled and barred grey and white plumage and an orange beak and legs. A large bird, it measures between 74 and 91 centimetres 29 and 36 in; in length, with an average weight of 3.3 kilograms 7.3 lb. Its distribution is widespread, with birds from the north of its range in Europe and Asia migrating southwards to spend the winter in warmer places. It is the type species of the genus Anser and is the ancestor of the domestic goose, having been domesticated at least as early as 1360 BC. The genus name is from anser, the Latin for goose. Greylag geese travel to their northerly breeding grounds in spring, nesting on moorlands, in marshes, around lakes and on coastal islands. They normally mate for life and nest on the ground among vegetation. A clutch of three to five eggs is laid; the female incubates the eggs and both parents defend and rear the young. The birds stay together as a family group, migrating southwards in autumn as part of a flock, and separating the following year. During the winter they occupy semi-aquatic habitats, estuaries, marshes and flooded fields, feeding on grass and often consuming agricultural crops

agricultural anatidae ancestor anser aquatic autumn barred beak bird birds breeding chick chicks clutch coastal consuming crops domesticated estuaries farm feeding fields flock flooded geese genus goose gosling grass graze grazing grey greylag ground grounds habitats incubates islands lakes latin legs marshes mate migrating moorlands mother mottled nest nesting northerly often orange parents plumage semi southwards species spring travel vegetation warmer water waterfowl white wild winter