Greylag Goose

The Greylag is the largest 'grey goose' and the ancestor of most domestic geese. It is a heavy bird with a thick neck and a large orange or pinkish bill. It is a widespread resident across much of Europe. It lives on lakes, marshes, and damp moors. In flight, it is identified by striking pale grey patches on the forewing. These contrast sharply with the darker flight feathers.

Greylags are social birds that form lifelong pair bonds. They stay in family groups for many months. They are loud and vocal. Their deep 'honking' call is identical to the sound of a farmyard goose. They graze on land during the day but move to open water at night for safety. During the summer moult, they lose all flight feathers at once and cannot fly for about a month.