Natura 2000 related content is now shown on the Biodiversity Information System for Europe, BISE. Please go to BISE or use the Natura 2000 map viewer for the latest information.
Kingdom: Animalia > Phylum: Chordata > Class: Aves > Order: Anseriformes > Family: Anatidae > Genus: Branta > Species: Branta bernicla > See subspecies
Scientific name Source
Branta bernicla bernicla (Linnaeus, 1758)
Branta bernicla hrota (Müller, 1776) Cramp, S. & Simmons, K.E.L. (1977)
Branta bernicla nigricans (Lawrence, 1846)

Brent Goose - Branta bernicla (Linnaeus, 1758)

Images from the web

Quick facts

Threat status Europe Least Concern (IUCN)
EU Population status
Secure
Protected by EU Birds Directive and 3 other international agreements
Natura 2000 sites 134 are designated for this species
Natura 2000 species code A046

Distribution

The distribution map is currently disabled. A new map solution will soon become available. In the meantime, please consult other species distribution map providers listed in the Other resources panel below.

Threat and EU population status

IUCN Red List status of threatened species

The IUCN Red List threat status assesses the risk of extinction.

EU population status

The status of the population at the EU level was evaluated at the species level; this was based on the reports delivered by Member States under Article 12 of the Birds Directive (see fact sheet below). The EU status assessment can cover several subspecies/subspecific population units. For more information, please consult the species fact sheet and link below.

IUCN Red List Category
Not Evaluated
Near Threatened
Regionally Extinct
Not Applicable
Vulnerable
Extinct in the Wild
Data Deficient
Endangered
Extinct
Least Concern
Critically Endangered
Population status categories for bird species under the Birds Directive
Secure
Near Threatened, declining or depleted
Threatened (i.e. vulnerable, endangered, critically endangered, regionally extinct)
Unknown or not evaluated

Natura 2000 sites

Protected in the following Natura 2000 sites

Sitecode Country Site name Action
EE0040001 Estonia Väinamere Map
EE0040201 Estonia Nõva-Osmussaare Map
EE0040434 Estonia Kura kurgu Map
ES0000143 Spain Marismas de Santoña, Victoria y Joyel y Ría de Ajo Map
ES1300007 Spain Marismas de Santoña, Victoria y Joyel Map
FR2112001 France Herbages et cultures des vallées de la Voire, de l'Héronne et de la Laines Map
FR2310044 France Estuaire et marais de la Basse Seine Map
FR2510048 France Baie du Mont Saint Michel Map
FR3110039 France Platier d'Oye Map
FR3110085 France Cap Gris-Nez Map
FR5210008 France Lac de Grand Lieu Map
FR5210090 France Marais salants de Guérande, traicts du Croisic, dunes de Pen Bron Map
FR5310011 France Cote de Granit Rose-Sept Iles Map
FR5310050 France Baie de Saint-Brieuc - Est Map
FR5310052 France Iles de la Colombiere, de la Nelliere et des Haches Map
FR5310056 France Baie d'Audierne Map
FR5310057 France Archipel de Glenan Map
FR5310070 France Tregor Goëlo Map
FR5310071 France Rade de Brest : Baie de Daoulas, Anse de Poulmic Map
FR5310073 France Baie de Morlaix Map
FR5310074 France Baie de Vilaine Map
FR5310086 France Golfe du Morbihan Map
FR5310092 France Rivière de Pénerf Map
FR5310093 France Baie de Quiberon Map
FR5310094 France Rade de Lorient Map
FR5310095 France Cap d'Erquy-Cap Fréhel Map
FR5410012 France Fier d'Ars et fosse de Loix Map
FR5410013 France Anse de Fouras, baie d'Yves, marais de Rochefort Map
FR5410028 France Marais de Brouage-Oléron Map
FR5410100 France Marais poitevin Map
FR5412012 France Bonne Anse, marais de Bréjat et de Saint Augustin Map
FR5412020 France Marais et estuaire de la Seudre, île d'Oléron Map
FR5412025 France Estuaire et basse vallée de la Charente Map
FR7210030 France Côte médocaine : dunes boisées et dépression humides Map
FR7210065 France Marais du Nord Médoc Map
FR8310079 France Val d'Allier Bourbonnais Map
IE0000077 Ireland Ballymacoda (Clonpriest and Pillmore) SAC Map
IE0000138 Ireland Durnesh Lough SAC Map
IE0000147 Ireland Horn Head and Rinclevan SAC Map
IE0000197 Ireland West of Ardara/Maas Road SAC Map
IE0000199 Ireland Baldoyle Bay SAC Map
IE0000204 Ireland Lambay Island SAC Map
IE0000205 Ireland Malahide Estuary SAC Map
IE0000206 Ireland North Dublin Bay SAC Map
IE0000208 Ireland Rogerstown Estuary SAC Map
IE0000210 Ireland South Dublin Bay SAC Map
IE0000268 Ireland Galway Bay Complex SAC Map
IE0000332 Ireland Akeragh, Banna and Barrow Harbour SAC Map
IE0000343 Ireland Castlemaine Harbour SAC Map
IE0000455 Ireland Dundalk Bay SAC Map
IE0000458 Ireland Killala Bay/Moy Estuary SAC Map
IE0000470 Ireland Mullet/Blacksod Bay Complex SAC Map
IE0000472 Ireland Broadhaven Bay SAC Map
IE0000622 Ireland Ballysadare Bay SAC Map
IE0000627 Ireland Cummeen Strand/Drumcliff Bay (Sligo Bay) SAC Map
IE0000696 Ireland Ballyteige Burrow SAC Map
IE0000697 Ireland Bannow Bay SAC Map
IE0000709 Ireland Tacumshin Lake SAC Map
IE0000781 Ireland Slaney River Valley SAC Map
IE0001090 Ireland Ballyness Bay SAC Map
IE0001190 Ireland Sheephaven SAC Map
IE0001309 Ireland Omey Island Machair SAC Map
IE0001482 Ireland Clew Bay Complex SAC Map
IE0001680 Ireland Streedagh Point Dunes SAC Map
IE0001957 Ireland Boyne Coast and Estuary SAC Map
IE0002012 Ireland North Inishowen Coast SAC Map
IE0002070 Ireland Tralee Bay and Magharees Peninsula, West to Cloghane SAC Map
IE0002159 Ireland Mulroy Bay SAC Map
IE0002165 Ireland Lower River Shannon SAC Map
IE0002249 Ireland The Murrough Wetlands SAC Map
IE0002287 Ireland Lough Swilly SAC Map
IE0002306 Ireland Carlingford Shore SAC Map
IE0004004 Ireland Inishkea Islands SPA Map
IE0004006 Ireland North Bull Island SPA Map
IE0004013 Ireland Drumcliff Bay SPA Map
IE0004015 Ireland Rogerstown Estuary SPA Map
IE0004016 Ireland Baldoyle Bay SPA Map
IE0004020 Ireland Ballyteigue Burrow SPA Map
IE0004023 Ireland Ballymacoda Bay SPA Map
IE0004024 Ireland Sandymount Strand/Tolka Estuary SPA Map
IE0004025 Ireland Broadmeadow/Swords Estuary SPA Map
IE0004026 Ireland Dundalk Bay SPA Map
IE0004027 Ireland Tramore Back Strand SPA Map
IE0004028 Ireland Blackwater Estuary SPA Map
IE0004029 Ireland Castlemaine Harbour SPA Map
IE0004031 Ireland Inner Galway Bay SPA Map
IE0004032 Ireland Dungarvan Harbour SPA Map
IE0004033 Ireland Bannow Bay SPA Map
IE0004034 Ireland Trawbreaga Bay SPA Map
IE0004035 Ireland Cummeen Strand SPA Map
IE0004036 Ireland Killala Bay/Moy Estuary SPA Map
IE0004069 Ireland Lambay Island SPA Map
IE0004075 Ireland Lough Swilly SPA Map
IE0004076 Ireland Wexford Harbour and Slobs SPA Map
IE0004077 Ireland River Shannon and River Fergus Estuaries SPA Map
IE0004078 Ireland Carlingford Lough SPA Map
IE0004080 Ireland Boyne Estuary SPA Map
IE0004087 Ireland Lough Foyle SPA Map
IE0004092 Ireland Tacumshin Lake SPA Map
IE0004122 Ireland Skerries Islands SPA Map
IE0004129 Ireland Ballysadare Bay SPA Map
NL1000021 Netherlands Krammer-Volkerak Map
NL3009016 Netherlands Oosterschelde Map
NL4000021 Netherlands Grevelingen Map
NL9801001 Netherlands Waddenzee Map
NL9802025 Netherlands Veerse Meer Map
NL9902010 Netherlands Zoommeer Map
PLB220005 Poland Zatoka Pucka Map
SE0340100 Sweden Västergarns utholme Map
SE0410040 Sweden Utklippan Map
SE0410041 Sweden Torhamn-Hästholmen Map
SE0410050 Sweden Gräsör m fl öar Map
SE0410051 Sweden Abramsäng Map
SE0410052 Sweden Majö Map
SE0410053 Sweden Kristianopels skärgård Map
FR5212010 France Dunes, forêt et marais d'Olonne Map
FR5312003 France Baie de Goulven Map
FR5212004 France Marais de l'Erdre Map
FR5212007 France Marais du Mès, baie et dunes de Pont-Mahé, étang du Pont de Fer Map
FR5212009 France Marais Breton, baie de Bourgneuf, île de Noirmoutier et forêt de Monts Map
FR2512003 France Havre de la Sienne Map
FR5312005 France Rivières de Pont-l'Abbé et de l'Odet Map
BG0002045 Bulgaria Kompleks Kamchia Map
FR5312010 France Dunes et côtes de Trévignon Map
FR5212014 France Estuaire de la Loire - Baie de Bourgneuf Map
FR5212013 France Mor Braz Map
FR5412026 France Pertuis charentais - Rochebonne Map
IE0004151 Ireland Donegal Bay SPA Map
IE0004158 Ireland River Nanny Estuary and Shore SPA Map
IE0004186 Ireland The Murrough SPA Map
FR7212018 France Bassin d'Arcachon et banc d'Arguin Map
FR3112006 France Bancs des Flandres Map
IE0004188 Ireland Tralee Bay Complex SPA Map
SE0420360 Sweden Nordvästra Skånes havsområde Map

Protected sites

Please note the site map takes a while to display.

Legal status

Legal text Annex Conditions More information
Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 30 November 2009, on the conservation of wild birds (EU Birds Directive) http://ec.europa.eu/environm...rective/index_en.htm
Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats (Bern Convention) (All species of Birds not included in Appendix II) http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cul.../bern/default_en.asp
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals. (Bonn Convention) (Migratory species of Anatidae) http://www.cms.int/
Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds. Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals. (AEWA) http://www.migratoryspecies....ent/about-cms-family

http://www.unep-aewa.org/en/legalinstrument/aewa

Common names and synonyms

Common Name Language Reference
Barnacla Carinegra Spanish Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J.
Bernache cravant French Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J.
Berneška tmavá Czech Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J.
Brent Goose English Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J.
Ganso-de-faces-negras Portuguese Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J.
Oca colombaccio Italian Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J.
Örvös lúd Hungarian Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J.
Prutgås Swedish Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J.
Ringelgans German Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J.
Rotgans Dutch Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J.
Sepelhanhi Finnish Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J.

Other resources

CoL (accepted name) Catalogue of Life
EURing code:01680 European bird-ringing
EoL Encyclopedia of Life
Fauna Europaea Fauna Europaea
GBIF Global Biodiversity Information Facility
ITIS (Valid name) Interagency Taxonomic Information System
NCBI search National Center for Biotechnology Information
PESI (Accepted) Pan-European Species directories Infrastructure
Wikipedia Wikipedia

External data

Population distribution from "Birds in Europe" editions 1 and 2

These publications present a thorough and detailed review of the conservation status of European birds. Based on detailed breeding and wintering population data collected in each country, the report provides a review of the population sizes and trends of Species of European Conservation Concern.

14 items found, displaying all items.1
Country Biogeographic region Min / Max (Units) Period Status Quality Source Published
Bulgaria 0/2 (individuals) 1996-2002 Wintering Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) 2004-01-01
Denmark 7500/8200 (individuals) 1999-2000 Wintering Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) 2004-01-01
Denmark Arctic 100/300 (pairs) 1985 Breeding Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available Birds in Europe 1 (1970-1990) 1994-01-01
Denmark - Greenland 100/150 (pairs) 1995-2000 Breeding Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) 2004-01-01
France 80000/115000 (individuals) 1998-2002 Wintering Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) 2004-01-01
Germany 600/4500 (individuals) 1994-1999 Wintering Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) 2004-01-01
Ireland 11163/13950 (individuals) 1994-2000 Wintering Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) 2004-01-01
Netherlands 39000/39000 (individuals) 1999-2001 Wintering Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) 2004-01-01
Norway Arctic 1000/1000 (pairs) 1982-1986 Breeding Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question Birds in Europe 1 (1970-1990) 1994-01-01
Poland 0/10 (individuals) 1990-2000 Wintering Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) 2004-01-01
Romania 0/4 (individuals) 1990-2000 Wintering Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) 2004-01-01
Russian Federation 400/600 (pairs) 1990-2000 Breeding Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) 2004-01-01
Russian Federation 10/100 (pairs) - Breeding Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available Birds in Europe 1 (1970-1990) 1994-01-01
United Kingdom 101000/101000 (individuals) 1994-1999 Wintering Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) 2004-01-01
Source: BirdLife International

Population trends from "Birds in Europe" editions 1 and 2

These publications present a thorough and detailed review of the conservation status of European birds. Based on detailed breeding and wintering population data collected in each country, the report provides a review of the population sizes and trends of Species of European Conservation Concern.

14 items found, displaying all items.1
Country Biogeographic region Period Status Trend Quality Source Published
Bulgaria 1990-2000 Wintering Unknown Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) 2004
Denmark 1990-2000 Wintering Increasing between 20% to 29% Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) 2004
Denmark Arctic 1970-1990 Breeding Stable, or change of less than 20% Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available Birds in Europe 1 (1970-1990) 1994
Denmark - Greenland 1990-2000 Breeding Fluctuating Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) 2004
France 1990-2000 Wintering Decreasing between 30% to 49% Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) 2004
Germany 1990-2000 Wintering Decreasing between 30% to 49% Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) 2004
Ireland 1990-2000 Wintering Fluctuating between 20% to 29% Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) 2004
Netherlands 1990-2000 Wintering Decreasing : 32 % Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) 2004
Norway Arctic 1970-1990 Breeding Stable, or change of less than 20% Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available Birds in Europe 1 (1970-1990) 1994
Poland 1990-2000 Wintering Stable between 0% to 19% Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) 2004
Romania 1990-2000 Wintering Stable between 0% to 19% Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) 2004
Russian Federation 1990-2000 Breeding Unknown Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) 2004
Russian Federation 1970-1990 Breeding Fluctuating with changes of at least 20%, but no clear trend Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available Birds in Europe 1 (1970-1990) 1994
United Kingdom 1990-2000 Wintering Decreasing : 12 % Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) 2004
Source: BirdLife International
European Environment Agency (EEA)
Kongens Nytorv 6
1050 Copenhagen K
Denmark
Phone: +45 3336 7100