Anseriformes / Anatidae / Anser
Tundra Bean Goose
Anser serrirostris · 短嘴豆雁
Introduction
A goose species breeding in northern Siberia and migrating to winter further south in Asia. Recognized as distinct from the taiga bean goose by the American Ornithological Society and International Ornithologists' Union, though other authorities treat them as a single species. The two lineages diverged approximately 2.5 million years ago with secondary contact around 60,000 years ago.
Description
Length ranges from 68 to 90 cm (27–35 in), wingspan from 140 to 174 cm (55–69 in), and weight from 1.7–4 kg (3.7–8.8 lb). In the nominate subspecies, males average 3.2 kg (7.1 lb) and females average 2.84 kg (6.3 lb). The bill is black at the base and tip with an orange band across the middle; legs and feet are bright orange. Upper wing-coverts are dark brown with narrow white fringes to the feathers.
Identification
Distinguished from white-fronted and lesser white-fronted geese by narrow white fringes on the dark brown upper wing-coverts. Differs from the pink-footed goose, which has a short, bright pink-banded bill, pink feet, and bluish-grey upper wing-coverts. Voice is a loud honking, higher pitched in smaller subspecies.
Distribution & Habitat
Breeds in northern Siberia. Two subspecies: A. s. rossicus breeds in the northern Russian tundra east to the Taimyr Peninsula; A. s. serrirostris breeds in the East Siberian tundra. Migratory, wintering further south in Asia with no regular wintering sites, often found in small groups among other grey goose species. Regular localities include WWT Slimbridge in Gloucestershire and Holkham Marshes in Norfolk.
Behavior & Ecology
Found in small groups among other grey goose species during winter.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Family
- Anatidae
- Genus
- Anser
Subspecies (2)
-
Anser serrirostris rossicus
breeds tundra of northern Russia and northwestern Siberia eastwards to the Taimyr Peninsula; winters mainly in western and central Europe and southwestern Asia
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.
