Greylag Geese British Birds

British Birds: Greylag Geese

Greylag Geese

Jake Davies

The Greylag, or Graylag, Goose, Anser anser, is one of nine species of wild goose that can be seen in the UK, but is the only native goose of the three species that breed here.

It is the ancestor of most of the domestic breeds of geese. Though not as common as Canada Geese, introduced to the UK in the 17th century, it is estimated that there are about 46,000 breeding pairs in the UK, though that number more than doubles with those that migrate here from Iceland. They are primarily herbivorous and mostly found in Scotland, coastal Wales, and the East of England. These were photographed next to the Oxford Canal near Rugby, Warwickshire. The name comes from the fact that they tend to migrate fairly late in the season and therefore "lag" behind other geese. Until the popularization of the turkey, the goose was the standard Christmas dish. Considered sacred in many ancient cultures, with links to fertility, the goose was connected to Aphrodite, and the tradition of wishing and pulling the "wishbone" comes from the goose.