Greater White-Fronted Goose
Anser albifrons
The majority of wild geese wintering in Hungary are greater white-fronted geese. Previously, they were primarily found in the Great Hungarian Plain, but as the taiga bean goose declined, the greater white-fronted goose became the dominant species even in Western Hungary.
These medium-sized geese have a distinctive white patch around the base of their bill and black bars on their belly. Their Hungarian name comes from their sharp „lee-leek” calls carrying over long distances.
Several subspecies exist worldwide, all breeding in the northern tundras of Eurasia and North America. Tens or even hundreds of thousands of these geese winter in the Carpathian Basin. While they remain throughout most of the winter, harsh snowy conditions may force them to seek alternative wintering grounds.
Their global population is increasing, which has contributed to their rise as the dominant goose species in the region.
In Hungary, the greater white-fronted goose is a Natura 2000 species and can be hunted in Komárom-Esztergom County from October to January with daily bag limits.
Illustration: Szabolcs Kókay – BirdLife Hungary– www.mme.hu
