List of goose breeds

List of Goose Breeds

Goose breeds are a group of bird species from the family Anatidae, which also includes ducks and swans. Geese are larger than ducks and have longer necks and shorter bills. They are known for their distinctive honking call. This article provides a comprehensive list of goose breeds.

Domestic Goose Breeds

Domestic geese are derived from the wild Greylag Goose (Anser anser) and the Swan Goose (Anser cygnoides). They have been domesticated for centuries for their meat, eggs, and down feathers. Here are some of the most common domestic goose breeds:

• Embden Goose: Known for its pure white feathers and blue eyes, the Embden Goose is one of the largest and oldest domestic goose breeds. It is primarily raised for meat due to its large size and rapid growth rate.

• Toulouse Goose: Originating from the city of Toulouse in southern France, this breed is known for its heavy body and calm temperament. It is often raised for meat and foie gras production.

• Chinese Goose: This breed is derived from the wild Swan Goose and is known for its distinctive knob at the base of the bill. It is one of the most prolific layers among the goose breeds.

• African Goose: Despite its name, the African Goose is believed to have originated in China. It is a large breed with a distinctive knob on its bill and a dewlap on its throat.

• Pilgrim Goose: This breed is unique for its auto-sexing ability, meaning males and females can be distinguished by their color at hatching. Males are creamy white while females are grey.

Wild Goose Breeds

Wild geese are known for their migratory habits. They breed in the northern regions during the summer and migrate south for the winter. Here are some of the most common wild goose breeds:

• Canada Goose: Known for its black head and neck with a white "chinstrap", the Canada Goose is one of the most common goose breeds in North America.

• Snow Goose: This breed is known for its white plumage and black wingtips. It breeds in the Arctic tundra and migrates south in large, noisy flocks.

• Barnacle Goose: Named for the barnacles often found on its breeding grounds, this breed has a black neck and head with a white face.

• Greylag Goose: This is the largest and bulkiest of the wild geese native to the UK and Europe. It is the ancestor of most domestic goose breeds.

• Pink-footed Goose: This breed is named for its distinctive pink feet. It breeds in the Arctic and migrates to the UK and the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. for the winter.

See Also

• List of duck breeds
• List of chicken breeds
• List of turkey breeds