Friday, February 26, 2021

BAR-HEADED GEESE

This is an old photo from April 2008 of a pair of Bar-headed geese.  I found them on a lake at a local, privately owned zoo.  They had a whole variety of different geese and ducks there but these two caught my eye on that trip.

I found very interesting information at a website called The Spruce, and if you are curious about these birds you can click here.

I gleaned a few interesting facts about them.

"They are one of the highest flying birds in the world and can fly above the Himalayan Mountains when it migrates, at heights that may reach 30,000 feet.

Their scientific name is Anser indicus (occasionally Eulabeia indica).

It's common name is Bar-headed Goose, Indian Goose and Gray Goose.  

They have a life span of 15 to 20 years.  

Size 28-30 inches and weight 4.4-6.6 pounds.  

Wingspan is 55-62 inches.  

These geese have a low honking call they use almost continuously in flight.  On land softer calls or small trills can occasionally be heard.

These geese prefer freshwater habitats such as bogs, open marshes, marshy lakes or river wetlands, as well as wet grassy fields or flooded agricultural areas.  

They are found in much of Asia and migrate seasonally.  

These birds are also part of exotic waterfowl collections throughout the world, including zoos and aviaries.  

Some feral populations have been established, most notably in Spain, Belgium and Finland, but regular escapee sightings are also recorded in Canada and the United Kingdom.  Rare escapees may be seen nearly anywhere.

During the breeding season, bar-headed geese can be found in appropriate habitats in Mongolia, western China, Kyrgyzstan, eastern Afghanistan and northeastern Pakistan.  In winter bar-headed geese migrate directly across the mountains to their wintering range in central Pakistan, India, Myanmar, Nepal and southern China, generally favoring lowland areas in winter."

I found it so very interesting to learn about this goose.  There is much more information about them at The Spruce.


Thanks for looking and have a great weekend.





41 comments:


  1. These geese are beautiful. Interesting information about birds that I did not know.

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  2. Interesting birds and we appear to have someone nearby with a smallholding that has geese I have never seen before. I have managed to track down names of 27 different kinds of goose but I am sure there must be more. The bar-headed are beautiful.
    Hope all is well Diane

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    1. That's an impressive number Diane. The smallholding would be interesting to me. Thank you, all is well here and I hope the same for you :)

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  3. Hello, Denise,
    They are pretty geese, great photos. Thanks for sharing the info. Take care, enjoy your day!

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    1. Thank you Eileen, you are very welcome. You take care and enjoy your day also :)

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  4. they are Gorgeous!!! the black and white with YELLOW POP is so different and beuatiful

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  5. I have never seen this type of geese, thanks for sharing!

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    1. At the time they were new to me also and I don't think I have seen any since. Thanks Christine :)

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  6. Wow, I have never heard of or seen these geese. They are awesome, and I really enjoyed reading all about them. They are really stunning, and look painted.

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  7. I have never seen or heard of this species, Denise. But we DO see so many Canada geese on the river below our window and they are not that welcome because of the mess they deposit on the river walkway.

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    1. Yes, the Canada Geese are everywhere. I do love them but I can see they would be a problem in areas where people have to walk a lot. Fortunately I don't have to deal with that, so can look back and say I love you Canada Goose, lol!

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  8. They are not geese I know (or had even heard about). Many thanks for sharing their beauty.

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    1. You are very welcome, so glad I could introduce you to these pretty geese :)

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  9. Wow. Never seen this type of geese. I like that detail on them. Happy weekend to you!

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    1. They are very pretty aren't they Ellen? :) Happy weekend to you also!

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  10. Hello,:=) It seems I am not the only one who has never seen or heard of these geese before. They are most attractive, and I enjoyed reading all about them. It's truey amazing how high they can fly.

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    1. Hello there, so glad and yes it is amazing :) Thank you!

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  11. Amazing both birds & facts! A whole new bird for me.

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    1. You introduce a lot of new birds to me Anni, so I am happy to be able to return the kindness :)

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  12. Thank you Linda, they are very striking :)

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  13. what a cool goose, with beautiful, interesting markings. i enjoyed reading about it!! have a wonderful weekend!!!

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    1. Thanks Debbie, so glad you enjoyed and I have a weekend also :)

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  14. A lovely photo. I've always wanted to fly with the geese.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. Oh I agree! Wouldn’t that be a marvelous thing to do? Thank you Amalia :) xo

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  15. I've never had the pleasure of seeing these beauties, Denise. So long lived, too.

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    1. They certainly are, thank you Martha Ellen :)

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  16. Beautiful picture of the geese.
    I have never heard of them before.

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    1. I had not seen them before that day I took their photo. Thank you Great-Granny G :).

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  17. This has been a bit of a nemesis bird for me. I have been in parts of Asia where they might be seen in winter, but I have never come across one. I doubt that I will be visiting these areas again, so I think I have already had my last chance!

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