Branta leucopsis - barnacle goose

Watertravel and Waterside Destinations masthead

-Lower Rhine

-- Nijmegen

-- Kleve

-- Kalkar

-- Xanten

-- Kranenburg

-- Kevelaer

-- Moyland

-- Wildfowl

--- Alopochen aegyptiacus

--- Anser albifrons

--- Anser anser

--- Branta leucopsis

--- Ciconia ciconia

--- Cygnus olor

--- Phasianus colchicus

--- Platalea leucorodia

-- Camping

-- Watertravel Home Page

Branta leucopsis is a goose of many names, most having to do with its appearance. German common names are Nonnengans, or nun goose, and Weisswangengans, or white-cheeked goose. The English name of “barnacle goose” is said to date back to medieval beliefs regarding its origins. Other European names (Fr: bernache nonnette; It: oca facciabianca; Sp: barnacla cariblanca) are variations on the nun, white-face and barnacle themes. In Dutch it’s Brandgans. Most migrate with their kind, though some remain behind and mingle with graylag geese, Egyptian geese and other local breeds.