The ubiquitous Canada Goose now has a competitor at Mercia Marina!

The pictures show an Asian Bar Headed Goose. Other than also being a goose, the similarity with Canada Geese end there!

The Asian Bar Headed Geese are:

1. Very rare in the UK – only 5 breeding pairs were recorded in the UK by the Rare Bird Breeding Panel on the last survey, albeit that was in 2002. It is likely that the one we have is an escapee!
2. As the name suggests, Asian Bar Headed Geese’s normal habitat is Central Asia and they winter as far south as southern India. Canada Geese’s normal habitat seems to be Branston.
3.  Asian Bar Headed Geese fly over the Himalayas when migrating, including over Mount Everest at 30,000 feet. Canada Geese here have just learnt to fly over 3 foot fences.
4. The Asian Bar Headed Goose is often kept in captivity as they are considered beautiful. Only their own mother’s love Canada Geese.
5. The feral population of Asian Bar Headed Geese is declining due to predation. The population of Canada Geese appears to be ever-expanding!