Common name: Greylag Goose
Scientific name: Anser anser
Family: Anatidae

Size:
Body length: 74–84 cm
Wingspan: 149–168 cm

Identification:
A large, heavy-bodied grey goose with a thick neck, large head, and strong pinkish-orange to pink bill. The legs are dull pink and the plumage is mainly brownish-grey, with a paler head and neck and sometimes dark markings on the belly. In flight, the very pale ash-grey forewing contrasts strongly with the darker flight feathers and back, making it a useful identification feature.

Habitat:
Wetlands, freshwater lakes, marshes, lagoons, reservoirs, and surrounding grasslands and agricultural areas. It feeds both in shallow water and on land, particularly in open grassy and cultivated areas.

Status in the UAE:
The naturally occurring Eastern Greylag Goose (Anser anser rubrirostris) is an uncommon and irregular winter visitor to the UAE, mainly from November to March, occasionally remaining into April. Released and domestic Greylag Geese are also regularly recorded, so the origin of individual birds needs to be considered.

Diet:
Primarily herbivorous, feeding on aquatic and terrestrial leaves, shoots, rhizomes, grasses, seeds, grains, and crops. It may feed in shallow water by upending to reach submerged vegetation.

Behavior:
A social goose that typically occurs in flocks and spends considerable time grazing on land or feeding in shallow water. It is generally alert and can be wary, particularly in areas where it experiences hunting pressure.

Conservation Status:
Global: Least Concern (LC)
UAE National Red List: Not Evaluated (NE)