greylag

The greylag goose, or greylag (Anser anser), is a large waterfowl in the family Anatidae. It is one of the wild ancestors of domestic geese and is among the most common geese across Europe and Asia. Adults have predominantly grey-brown plumage with a lighter head and neck, a white rump visible in flight, a pinkish-orange bill, and pink legs.

Greylags inhabit wetlands, lakes, rivers, marshes, and agricultural landscapes, often favoring shallow water for grazing. They are highly social outside the breeding season and can form large flocks. Their diet consists mainly of grasses and other vegetation, supplemented by cereals and aquatic plants depending on season and location.

Breeding takes place on open ground near water. The female lays 4–6 eggs and incubates them for about 28–32 days. Goslings are precocial and feed themselves soon after hatching. Chicks fledge after several weeks. Northern populations migrate to milder regions in winter, while many individuals in milder areas remain resident year-round.

Conservation status for the greylag is typically listed as Least Concern due to its wide distribution and large, stable populations. The species has played a central role in the domestication of geese, giving rise to numerous domestic breeds used for meat and other products.