Bird · GBIF taxon 5232451
Red-breasted Goose
Branta ruficollisAlso known as Red-Breasted Black Goose
Red-breasted geese are among the most strikingly patterned waterfowl in the world, featuring deep chestnut patches outlined in crisp white against a dark black body. During the summer breeding season on the Siberian tundra, nests are famously built near the aeries of peregrine falcons or rough-legged buzzards, leveraging the raptors' aggressive territorial defense to protect goose eggs from Arctic foxes. In winter, large flocks migrate south to agricultural landscapes and coastal wetlands around the Black and Caspian Seas.
MigratoryWaterfowl
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Winter Wheat
- Tundra Grasses
- Barley
Predators
- Arctic Fox
- Snowy Owl
- White-tailed Eagle
ThreatsHabitat alteration, agricultural shifts, illegal hunting, and climate change
HabitatsArctic tundra, steppe grasslands, agricultural fields, and coastal lagoons
Life span10–15 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyAnatidae
- SpeciesBranta ruficollis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Look for the vibrant chestnut neck patch bordered by a stark white stripe and a short black bill.
- Support conservation
- Maintain a generous distance and use spotting scopes to prevent causing flight responses in feeding flocks.
Responsible observation
- Winter Viewing: Scan mixed flocks of wintering geese along the Black Sea coast for their distinctive red chests.
- Minimize Disturbance: Stay inside vehicles or behind blinds, as feeding flocks are easily spooked into flight.
Frequent Companion 
Protective Neighbor Mykola Swarnyk / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-saClose Relative Close Relative
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