Another species of the Grey Geese is the Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser erythropus). The breeding areas of the Lesser White-fronted Goose are the southern parts of the Tundra zone and the Eurasian forest tundra stretching from the North of Norway far across Russia throughout Siberia to Chukotka on the most eastern part of Siberia. Over the entire area the abundace of the Lesser White-fronted Goose is more than sketchy and the geese are to be found in only few localities.
The preferred breeding area of the Lesser White-fronted Goose are areas of rugged relief such as river valleys, hilly landscape and also in foothill areas, preferrably in landscapes with alternating patches of meadows and dense bush areas.
In General, the species is classified as vulnerable on the global Red List.
Global Population of the Lesser White-fronted Goose
The global population is estimated at 16,000-27,000 individuals, with only a small European population covering only 250-400 individuals. These European populations are mostly centred on the Northeast of Russia with only about 100 individuals breeding in Fennoscandia.
Characteristics of the Lesser White-fronted Goose
Taxonomy
Order: Anseriformes
Familiy: Anatidae
Sub-family: Geese (Anserinae)
Genus: Grey Geese (Anser)
Species: Lesser White-fronted Goose
Scientific Name: Anser erythropus
Names and Synonyms of the Lesser White-fronted Goose
- German: Zwerggans
- French: Oie naine
- Spanish: Ánsar chico
- Portuguese: Ganso-pequeno
- Italian: Oca lombardella minore
- Dutch: Dwerggans
- Czech: Husa malá
- Slovak: Hus malá
- Hungary: Kis lilik
- Romania: Gârliță mică, Gârliță mică, Gârliţă mică
- Bulgaria: Малка белочела гъска
- Serbia: Mala lisasta guska
- Danish: Dværggås
- Norwegian: Dverggå
- Swedish: Fjällgås
- Finland: Kiljuhanhi
- Polish: Gęś mała
- Russian: Пискулька
- Turkey: Küçük sakarca
- Arabic: اوزة غراء صغيرة
- Hebrew: אווז קטן, אוז זוטר אוז קטן
- Azerbaijan: Ağqaş qaz
Distribution – Movements – Wintering
Distribution: Lesser White-fronted Geese breed in across large parts of the subpolar Eurasian zone, northern Scandinavia and further eastwards to east Siberia.
Movements: migrational
Wintering: Lesser White-fronted Geese winter in Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldavia, northern coastal areas of the Black Sea, Turkey, Syria, Irak, Iran, Armenia, Azerbaijan, the southern Caspi area and in southeast Asia. We also find the Lesser White-fronted Geese in the entire Waddensea zone, in North Sea coastal areas of Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands. Also, inland sigthings are possible in the wider Lower Rhine area and along the Dutch-German border.
Habitat
The Lesser White-fronted Goose breeds in forest tundra, prefers hilly areas above tree line. During migration and winter on meadows, croplands and similar areas. Rarely in coastal areas.
Behaviour
Diurnal. Separate sleeping and feeding areas.
Field Characteristics of the Lesser White-fronted Goose
The Lesser White-fronted Goose can be confused for a White-fronted Goose. Though, it is smallerand has a shorter neck. Very extensive white blaze that reaching the forecrown.
The body (plumage) is more brownish or rather darker than with the White-fronted Goose. Wings are narrow. Lesser White-fronted Goose shows an agile flight with fast wing beats. However, these characteristics are by no means sufficient for final identification.
There should be an yellow to orange eyering, may even appear as whitish with some individuals. Considering that, whith the exception of the Greylag Goose, all other grey geese do not show any such feature, this is probably the best identification feature.
Bill: shorter and flesh-coloured to pink, more pink-coloured with juveniles
Legs: orange, more yellowish with juveniles
Measurements and Voice
Size: 65-86 cm
Weight: 1,600-2,500 g, maximum of 3,000 g
Wingspan: 135-165 cm
Wing:
♂: 370-388 mm
♀: 361-387 mm
Voice: Similar to White-fronted Goose but more high pitched in character. Though, it appears that this species is not as chatty as its larger brethren.
Breeding of the Lesser White-fronted Goose
Sexually mature: during its second year.
First-time breeding: between the second and third year:
Mating: Mainly in April, but also until May at the latest. Lifelong monogamous breeding pair. Though, after losing a partner, the other bird is looking for a new mate again.
Clutches per breeding season: 1 clutch
Begin of laying: from end of May
Breeding season: from end of May and during June, but no later than early July
Nest: mostly elevated on a platform made from plants.
Clutch, Eggs and Measurements
Clutch: 4-6 eggs, femal is tasked with incubating.
Eggs: long-oval cream-coloured eggs.
Measurements:
Length: 69.0-84.5 mm
Width: 43.0-50.5 mm
Weight of fresh egg: Ø 75 g
Measurement data according to Tugarinow (1941) in S.M. Uspenski
Incubation, Fledging and Dependency
Recurrent clutches: there are no recurrent clutches recorded. Besides, it is most unlikely considering the extremely short window for breeding. This period lasts only from the begin of snowmelting to early July.
Laying Interval: 48 hours
Begin of incubating: after laying last egg
Incubation: (25) 2627(-28) days
Hatching: asynchronous over several hours.
Fledging: the goslings leave the nest as soon as their downs have dried and follow their parents. Goslings can look for food from day one and learn from their parents. They fledge after 35-40 days.
Dependency: Juveniles stay with the family during migration and winter until the next breeding season starts. Families can clearly be identified in the winter areas because families always stay together.
Miscellaneous
Food – Diet: purely plant-based diet. In winter quarter Lesser White-fronted Geese feed on grass and plant material.
Longevity: between 8-9 years.
Mortality: no recorded data
Enemies and Threats: wolves, polar fox, dogs, White-tailed Eagle, infections
References
Bauer, Hans-Günther, Bezzel, Einhard et. al. (HG), Kompendium der Vögel Mitteleuropas, Band 1, Sonderausgabe 2012, Aula Verlag, Wiebelsheim
Bauer, Hans-Günther, Bezzel, Einhard et. al. (HG), Kompendium der Vögel Mitteleuropas, Band 3, Literatur und Anhang, Aula Verlag Wiebelsheim, 2. vollständig überarbeitete Auflage 1993
Bezzel, Einhard, Kompendium der Vögel Mitteleuropas, Non-Passeriformes, Band 1, Aula Verlag Wiesbaden, 1985
Bruun/Singer/König, Der Kosmos Vogelführer, Franck’sche Verlagshandlung Stuttgart, 5. Auflage 1982
Glutz von Blotzheim, Urs et. al (HG), Handbuch der Vögel Mitteleuropas, Band 2, Anseriformes (1. Teil), Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft, Wiesbaden, 1979, Nachdruck der Auflage von 1968
Svenson, Lars et. al, Der Kosmos Vogelführer, Franck-Kosmos Verlag GmbH & Co. KG, Stuttgart, 2. Auflage 2011
Svenson, Lars, Mullarney, Killian et al, Collins Bird Guide: The Most Complete Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europa, HarperCollins Glasgow, Second Edition 2010
Uspenski, S.M. Dr. habil, Die Wildgänse Nordeurasiens, Die Neue Brehm Bücherei, Band 352, A. Ziemsen Verlag Wittenberg Lutherstadt, 1965
Bundesamt für Naturschutz: Nationaler Vogelschutzbericht 2019 gemäß Artikel 12 Vogelschutzrichtlinie, report dat from section Wi-Z winter guests (pdf download)
Image Credits
Featured image of Lesser White-fronted Goose: by ©Raymond Loyal
Eggs of Lesser White-fronted Goose: By Klaus Rassinger und Gerhard Cammerer, Museum Wiesbaden – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38182271
All other post images of Lesser White-fronted Goose: by ©Raymond Loyal
If and when you did enjoy the information given and the post please so kind and leave a like. Also, make sure to subscribe to my channel for updates and new posts. Any donation or support is most welcome. Thank you in advance.