Family: Anatidae, Ducks and Geese view all from this family

Description 25-28" (63.5-71 cm). A small, white-faced goose; back barred with black and gray; crown, eye line, nape, neck, breast, bill, and legs black; primaries dark; underparts white.

Habitat Arctic rivers and marshlands; winters in coastal marshes and grasslands.

Nesting 4-6 gray-white eggs in down-lined nest placed on precipitous rock ledge, often far from salt water. Nests in small colonies.

Range Breeds in Greenland and northern Eurasia. Winters in northern Europe and British Isles. Probably rare vagrant in northeastern North America, though many records definitely pertain to escaped captive birds.

Voice A short barking note, sometimes rapidly repeated.

Discussion Few young waterfowl undergo the challenge faced by Barnacle Goose goslings that have to make their way from precipitous sea cliffs to the safety of water below in the first few hours after hatching. Females have actually been reported to carry the young to safety on their back or in their bill.