(Credit: U. S. Geological Survey)

Brant Goose - Branta bernicla

Identification Tips:

  1. Length: 17 inches Wingspan: 48 inches
  2. Sexes similar
  3. Small coastal goose
  4. Black head, neck, and breast
  5. White patch on neck
  6. Black bill, legs, and feet
  7. White upper and undertail coverts, rump, and dark tail
  8. Very dark wings

Adult-Pacific coast

  1. Very dark back
  2. Blackish belly
  3. Some white on flanks

Adult-Atlantic coast

  1. Dark back
  2. Pale belly and flanks

Similar species:

Other dark geese have white face patches.