Lesser White-fronted Goose

Common Name	Lesser White-fronted GooseBirdlife International
Species name	Anser erythropusBirdlife International
Family	Anatidae
Genus	Anser
Local Name	Country Appearance Local name Brunei Darussalam     Cambodia     China     Indonesia     Japan Yes カリガネ Lao PDR     Malaysia     Mongolia     Myanmar     Philippines     Republic of Korea     Singapore     Thailand     Vietnam

 

Visual and Sound Image

Photos

Lesser White-fronted Goose

Videos

 

Sounds

 

Identification

53-66 cm. Small, grey-brown goose. White patch at base of pink bill. Black belly patches. Yellow eye-ring at close range.
<Similar species> White-fronted Goose A. albifrons larger, longer necked with bigger bill and less steeply sloping forehead. Adult less dark and has smaller white blaze on face and lack bright yellow eye-ring. Juvenile lacks pale eye-ring. Difficult to distinguish in flight except by longer neck and bill and relatively shorter wings.
<Voice> Fast bouncing dyee yik.
<Hints> Search flocks of other geese, particularly A. albifrons. Walks faster than A. albifrons and is consequently often found near the front of feeding flocks.

Birdlife International

 

Range Description

Anser erythropus breeds in northern Fennoscandia (Norway 35-45 pairs, Finland 0-5 pairs, Sweden 5 pairs13) and several areas in Russia, including the Kola Peninsula, tundra to the west and east of Pechora, Western Siberia (Yamal and Gydan peninsulas), the southern Taimyr and Putorana Plateau, areas north of Eastern Siberia and Chukotka. Eastern breeders winter in central China and Mongolia, and European and west Asian breeders around the Black and Caspian Seas, in Azerbaijan, the Evros Delta between Greece and Turkey5, Iraq and possibly Iran. Small numbers occur on passage or in winter in Hungary, Germany24, Slovakia, Romania2,7 Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania and Bulgaria9. A small wintering population is also now established in The Netherlands, which originates from a reintroduced breeding population in Sweden. There are important staging areas in Kazakhstan10, Estonia10, Lithuania and Poland. The total population is estimated to be 25,000-28,000 individuals. This includes 8,000-11,000 individuals in autumn in its Western Palearctic range24 and 17,000 wintering individuals from the East Asian Flyway (20,000 recorded in 199714; but later not more than 17,00024; 16,937 counted in Lower Yangtze Valley in 200412). The Russian population has declined from a former estimate of 30,000-50,000 individuals8. The Fennoscandian population has declined from more than 10,000 birds in the early 20th century.

Birdlife International

 

Ecology

Ecology (Behaviour)

This species is fully migratory, and information about its migration routes has only recently come to light as a result of satellite telemetry studies15. The species departs from its breeding grounds in northern Scandinavia and arctic Russia in late August to early September. Populations from Fennoscandia and west Asia follow several routes: either south (through Hungary), or east and then south, through the Russian Taimyr Peninsula in northern Siberia, northern Kazakhstan and finally the Black Sea21,25, to reach wintering grounds in south-east Europe (the Hungarian plain to the Black Sea) and the Near East (around the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf)21,22. East Asian populations winter in eastern China23 and the Korean peninsula1. The return passage to the breeding grounds begins in February, with the species arriving from early May21 to late June1. In Siberia non-breeding birds undertake a moult-migration to higher altitudes or to areas north of the breeding range1. Evidence indicates that this species is not a colonial breeder16, but nests in pairs on isolated territories17. The species is gregarious outside the breeding season however17.

Birdlife International

Habitat

<Breeding> This species breeds in low-lying bogs, scrub-covered tundra and taiga-forest edges close to wetlands, up to 700 m above sea level15. It can also be found on the slopes by lower parts of mountain streams, on mountain foothills, mountain lakes and on alpine precipices, often in thawing boggy areas or on stonefields16, 18. Adults of this species undergo a post-breeding flightless summer moult whilst still in their breeding range (in Siberia and Scandinavia adults migrate to areas north of the breeding range or to higher altitudes to exploit large open water fringed with sedge (Carex), or river valleys with long grass and scrub to escape predation)15.
<Non-breeding> During winter and on migration this species frequents open short grassland in the steppe and semi-arid zones, particularly in sodic (e.g. seashore) pastures, arable farmland, pastures and meadows1, 15, 18. Winter roosting colonies are also formed on large lakes and rivers17, 18, or in reedbeds and rushes18.

Birdlife International

Diet

This species is herbivorous, feeding on grasses, roots, stems, leaves, fruits and the green parts of aquatic and terrestrial plants along lake-shores, rivers and marshes15. During the winter the species supplements its diet with winter agricultural grains15.

Birdlife International

Breeding Site

Birds of this species often nest on snow-free patches available early in the breeding season (such as rocky outcrops or prominent hummocks) hidden amongst vegetation (grass, dwarf shrub heathland) or in boggy hollows1, 15, usually in close proximity to open water or marshy areas15.

Birdlife International

References

1. Madsen (1996). 2. Aarvak et al. (1997). 3. Iwabuchi (1998). 4. Kostadinova et al. (1999). 5. Lorentsen et al. (1998). 6. Miyabayashi and Mundkur (1999). 7. Munteanu et al. (1991). 8. Morozov (1995). 9. Petkov et al. (1999). 10. Tolvanen et al. (1999). 11. Zockler and Lysenko (2000). 12. Barter et al. (2004). 13. BirdLife International (2004). 14. Li and Mundkur (2004). 15. Kear (2005a). 16. Johnsgard (1978). 17. Madge and Burn (1988). 18. Cramp and Simmons (1977). 19. Grishanov (2006). 20. Morozov (2006). 21. Snow and Perrins (1998). 22. Alerstam (1990). 23. del Hoyo et al (1992). 24. Morozov and Syroechkovski (2005). 25. Oien et al. (2005). 26. Jones (in press). 27. Ebbinge and Spaans (1995). 28. A(2000). 29. T. Aarvak pers. comm. (2007). 30. N. Petkov in litt. (2007).

Birdlife International

Status

International Status

IUCN Red List Category

VU

Justification

This species is listed as Vulnerable because it has suffered a rapid population reduction in its key breeding population in Russia, and equivalent declines are predicted to continue. The Fennoscandian population has undergone a severe historical decline, and has not yet recovered.
<Population justification> 8,000-11,000 autumn individuals in W Palearctic (Yerokhov et al., 2004; Morozov & Syroechkovski, 2005;) plus about 17,000 wintering individuals from E. Asian Flyway ( from 11,800 to 16,800 in 1999(Lei, 2000; Markkola et al., 2000), 16,600 in 2003 (Barter, 2004); 16,937 counted in Lower Yangtze Valley in 2004: Barter et al. 2004).
<Trend justification> This species's population is suspected to have decreased rapidly, owing to levels of hunting on the staging and wintering grounds, and habitat deterioration (largely as a result of land cultivation). Modelling indicates that 28% of the habitat for this species could be lost by 2070 (Zockler and Lysenko 2000).

 

National Status

Country	Category	Reference
Brunei Darussalam
Cambodia
China
Indonesia
Japan	EN	http://www.biodic.go.jp/rdb/rdb_f.html
Korea	VU	Korean Red List of Threatened Species(NIBR, 2012)
Lao PDR
Malaysia
Mongolia	VU	Mongolian Red List of Birds(Seidler et al. Eds., 2011)
Myanmar
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand
Vietnam

 

Management

Threat

<Breeding> Disturbance on breeding grounds (e.g. from increasing tourism and angling) causes much disruption to nesting birds1. Illegal spring hunting and round-ups of moulting birds are taking place on the Russian breeding grounds26 and illegal shooting continues in Norway29. Habitat deterioration, as a result of land cultivation and increased water-levels in the Caspian Sea, is a further threat1, as is habitat loss through the creation of reservoirs for hydroelectric power in Scandinavia1. The species may also be threatened by nest predation from the Red Fox Vulpes vulpes1. Climate change and associated habitat shifts are expected to impact negatively on this species and others dependent on tundra habitat for breeding. Modelling indicates that 28% of the habitat for this species could be lost by 207011.
<Non-breeding> High mortality in autumn and winter is caused by illegal hunting, and accidental shooting on the staging and wintering grounds is the most important threat1,2,5,15,20,26. Disturbance of roosting and feeding birds by hunters is a potentially significant limiting factor on survival and breeding output27,28,30. The wintering population at Dongting Lake, China, is threatened by the Three Gorges Dam3. In the Kaliningrad region of Russia, important migratory stop-over points on the Baltic Sea coastline are being degraded through petroleum pollution, wetland drainage for agriculture, changes in wetland management leading to scrub and reed overgrowth, peat extraction, and the burning and mowing of reed beds19.

Birdlife International

Information

No descriptions

Birdlife International

Current Conservation

CMS Appendix I and II. It is protected in key range states except Azerbaijan and China. Satellite telemetry studies have improved knowledge of its ecology and the key threats2, ,10. A reintroduction programme in Sweden recently ended. Public awareness materials have been produced4. A European action plan was published in 1996.

Birdlife International

Current Conservation

Reduce hunting pressure in key wintering and staging areas. Locate, monitor and protect key areas. Continue satellite tracking and other research. Prevent habitat loss and manage habitats in staging and wintering areas. Promote international and national legal protection. Promote public awareness.

Birdlife International

Legal Protection

Country	Status	Reference
Brunei Darussalam
Cambodia
China
Indonesia
Japan
Korea	Category II	Wildlife Protection Act
Lao PDR
Malaysia
Mongolia
Myanmar
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand
Vietnam

Related Links

• CMS: Convention on Migratory Species

Range

Geographical Information

Migration Route

 

Asian Waterbird Census

Descriptions

The Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) was initiated in 1987 and runs in parallel with other waterbird censuses carried out in Africa, Europe, Central and West Asia and Latin America under the umbrella of the International Waterbird Census (IWC), which is organised by Wetlands International.

The AWC takes place annually, during the second and third weeks of January, and is carried out by volunteers interested in collecting information on waterbirds and wetlands as a basis for contributing to their conservation.

Reference: Li, Z.W.D., Bloem, A., Delany S., Martakis G. and Quintero J. O. 2009. Status of Waterbirds in Asia - Results of the Asian Waterbird Census: 1987-2007. Wetlands International, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Census Data

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
The number of observed individual
The number of observed sites(not all count sites)
The total number of count sites	2	3	3	2	4	4	0	4	4	4	4	5	5	0	0	0	9	0	0	1	0	9
CAMBODIA	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
The number of observed individual
The number of observed sites(not all count sites)
The total number of count sites	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	11	0	0	12	12	11	5	1	6	9	6	6
CHINA	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
The number of observed individual				8	910	1355	4570	1300	180		1806	20000		9860				16551	16947	8636	2	208
The number of observed sites(not all count sites)				1	2	2	3	2	1		2	1		1				2	4	1	1	2
The total number of count sites	0	1	34	12	50	60	67	29	6	14	6	15	21	20	14	10	22	45	80	81	59	72
INDONESIA	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
The number of observed individual
The number of observed sites(not all count sites)
The total number of count sites	0	0	0	1	19	8	17	17	15	19	16	0	0	47	12	10	40	34	14	16	15	23
JAPAN	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
The number of observed individual																2	2		4		2	2
The number of observed sites(not all count sites)																1	1		1		1	1
The total number of count sites	0	0	0	53	39	52	47	20	50	40	47	37	41	37	107	112	103	109	97	159	142	137
LAO PDR	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
The number of observed individual
The number of observed sites(not all count sites)
The total number of count sites	0	0	0	2	4	5	3	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	14	1	0	0	0	1	0	0
MALAYSIA	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
The number of observed individual
The number of observed sites(not all count sites)
The total number of count sites	0	0	0	59	68	93	85	17	10	7	10	0	0	20	25	25	25	43	43	82	82	40
MYANMAR	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
The number of observed individual
The number of observed sites(not all count sites)
The total number of count sites	0	5	3	12	17	15	21	20	13	12	2	4	2	0	7	32	47	73	24	31	32	19
PHILIPPINES	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
The number of observed individual
The number of observed sites(not all count sites)
The total number of count sites	0	0	0	0	19	21	34	39	46	47	39	28	29	32	43	38	50	47	56	54	65	108
SINGAPORE	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
The number of observed individual
The number of observed sites(not all count sites)
The total number of count sites	0	0	0	0	4	12	17	15	13	14	10	10	6	11	10	10	8	9	9	8	8	7
REPUBLIC OF KOREA	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
The number of observed individual										1									2
The number of observed sites(not all count sites)										1									1
The total number of count sites	0	0	10	12	22	20	20	15	10	22	25	22	14	68	99	112	118	116	117	123	127	127
THAILAND	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
The number of observed individual								3											2	1		1
The number of observed sites(not all count sites)								1											1	1		1
The total number of count sites	10	8	3	20	26	12	23	16	17	5	9	3	1	1	7	3	9	26	20	82	99	33
VIETNAM	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
The number of observed individual
The number of observed sites(not all count sites)
The total number of count sites	0	0	0	1	2	0	1	4	0	1	1	0	1	8	2	2	16	4	4	9	6	11

 

Population

Descriptions

 

Population Trend

 

 

Additional Information

BirdLife International

BirdLife International

Climate change species distributions

 

Other Information

• Detailed species account from Birds in Europe: population estimates, trends and conservation status (BirdLife International 2004)
• Detailed species accounts from the Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book (BirdLife International 2001), together with new information collated since the publication of the Red Data Book
• Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Goose Conservation Project
• International Action Plan