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--- Alopochen aegyptiacus

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--- Anser anser

--- Branta leucopsis

--- Ciconia ciconia

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The graylag, Anser anser, is the commonest goose on the Lower Rhine delta —although in winter it appears to be outnumbered by the Bläßgans, or white-fronted goose. Ancestor of the barnyard variety, the graylag is a most accepting sort. As to the old addage, “birds of a feather flock together,” he seems to interpret it to mean, “any goose with feathers.” When the oddball barnacle or Egyptian goose congregates with another species, the other species will almost always be the Anser anser.

Although graylags generally don’t migrate, they do participate in the daily commute. That is, they sleep on the water to avoid foxes and other predators. In the morning they fly to the day’s feeding grounds. They return to the water to take a break from eating at “lunchtime,” followed by an afternoon’s eating and back to the water to sleep. Life is tough.