Brant (goose)
A small goose with three subspecies, wintering on temperate coasts.
The brant, also called the brent goose (Branta bernicla), is a compact goose belonging to the genus *Branta*. It has three subspecies, all spending winters along temperate coastlines and nesting on the high-Arctic tundra. The Brent oilfield took its name from this bird.
**Taxonomy** Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus first formally described the brant in 1758, placing it in the genus *Anas* with the name *Anas bernicla*. He initially gave Europe as the type locality, then narrowed it to Sweden in 1761. Today, the brant is one of six species in the genus *Branta*, which Austrian naturalist Giovanni Antonio Scopoli introduced in 1769. The genus name *Branta* comes from a Latinised version of the Old Norse *brandgás*, meaning “burnt (black) goose.” The species name *bernicla* is Medieval Latin for “barnacle.”
The brant and the similar barnacle goose were once thought to be the same species—and even the same creature as the barnacle itself. This myth dates back to at least the 1100s, when bird migration was unknown. No one had ever seen these birds nest, find their eggs, or spot their goslings. Gerald of Wales claimed to have seen them hanging from timber, William Turner accepted the idea, and John Gerard said he watched them emerge from shells. The legend lasted until the late 1700s. In County Kerry, Ireland, Catholics could eat this bird on Fridays until relatively recently because it was considered a fish.
Three subspecies are recognised.
**Description** The brant is a small goose with a short, stubby bill. It measures 55–66 cm (22–26 in) long, has a wingspan of 106–121 cm (42–48 in), and weighs 0.88–2.2 kg (1.9–4.9 lb). Its undertail is pure white, and its tail is black and the shortest of any goose.
The dark-bellied nominate subspecies, *B. b. bernicla*, has a fairly uniform dark grey-brown body, with flanks and belly not much paler than the back. Its head and neck are black, with a small white patch on each side of the neck. With a population of about 250,000, it breeds on the Arctic coasts of central and western Siberia and winters along western Europe’s coasts—over half in southern England, the rest between northern Germany and southwestern France.
The pale-bellied form, *B. b. hrota*, appears blackish-brown and light grey. Its body shows different shades of grey-brown, with flanks and belly much paler than the back, creating a clear cont
- Scientific name
- Branta bernicla
- Length
- 55–66 cm (22–26 in)
- Wingspan
- 106–121 cm (42–48 in)
- Weight
- 0.88–2.2 kg (1.9–4.9 lb)
- Subspecies
- 3 (B. b. bernicla, B. b. hrota, B. b. nigricans)
- Conservation status
- Least Concern (IUCN)
Lore & Background
The brant was formally described in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus under the name Anas bernicla. It is now placed in the genus Branta, introduced in 1769 by Giovanni Antonio Scopoli. The genus name comes from Old Norse for 'burnt (black) goose,' and the specific epithet is Medieval Latin for barnacle. The brant and the barnacle goose were once thought to be the same creature, a myth dating to at least the 12th century, because no nests or eggs were seen; this legend persisted until the end of the 18th century. In County Kerry, Ireland, Catholics could eat this bird on a Friday because it counted as fish.
Reader's Guide
The brant goose is almost exclusively herbivorous, feeding on salt marsh plants, green algae, and eelgrass in non-breeding season, and on graminoids, forbs, and mosses during breeding. It nests on the ground near water, laying 3–5 eggs that incubate for 23–24 days. Pairs mate for life, though females may mate with other males. The species was once strictly coastal in winter, but after a 1931 eelgrass blight on the east coast of North America nearly caused extirpation, survivors adapted to eat sea lettuce; brants have since also begun using agricultural land. The world population increased to 400,000–500,000 by the mid-1980s. The brant is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN and is covered by the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds.
Did You Know?
- The brant was formally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758 under the name Anas bernicla.
- The myth that brants and barnacle geese were the same creature as the barnacle persisted until the end of the 18th century.
- In County Kerry, Ireland, Catholics could eat this bird on a Friday because it counted as fish.
- A 1931 eelgrass blight on the east coast of North America nearly caused the brant's extirpation, but survivors adapted by eating sea lettuce.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Brant (goose)?
The brant, also called the brent goose, is a compact goose in the genus Branta with the scientific name Branta bernicla. It was first formally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758, who originally placed it in the genus Anas before it was reclassified.
How big is a Brant?
An adult brant measures roughly 55 to 66 cm in body length with a wingspan of about 106 to 121 cm. Depending on the subspecies, it weighs somewhere between 0.88 and 2.2 kg.
Where do Brants live and breed?
All three subspecies overwinter along temperate coastlines but migrate to the high-Arctic tundra to nest during the summer. This makes them a classic example of a long-distance Arctic migratory goose.
How many subspecies of Brant exist?
There are three recognized subspecies: B. b. bernicla, B. b. hrota, and B. b. nigricans. Each occupies slightly different ranges within the broader Arctic and temperate coastal zones.
What is the conservation status of the Brant?
The IUCN currently lists the brant as Least Concern, indicating the species is not facing a significant risk of extinction in the wild. Its wide distribution across Arctic breeding grounds and coastal wintering areas helps keep the population stable.
More in Birds of the Arctic 1-24
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