Uploaded April 2024 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Brant can be distinguished from Canada Geese by their smaller size; dark brown body with black head, shorter neck and white collar. Unlike the honking calls of Canada Geese, the Brant call is a low, guttural "ruk-ruk" sound.
Brant breed in the north, in coastal Alaska and the Canadian Arctic on tundra and coastal islands. During winter, they are found along the Pacific coast and further south into Baja California, Mexico. Brant geese form long-term, monogamous pair-bonds and family units migrate together. Brant rarely stray far from salt water and do not come inland to graze in fields; spending winters in large flocks feeding on coastal mudflats. When Brant arrive here (Parksville, B.C.) in the spring, they need to rest and feed on the abundant eelgrass, sea lettuce and herring roe to fuel up for the next northward migration. During migration, Brant fly in irregular bunches rather than in lines like other geese.
#migrationbirds #vancouverisland #geese #nature
Brant can be distinguished from Canada Geese by their smaller size; dark brown body with black head, shorter neck and white collar. Unlike the honking calls of Canada Geese, the Brant call is a low, guttural "ruk-ruk" sound.
Brant breed in the north, in coastal Alaska and the Canadian Arctic on tundra and coastal islands. During winter, they are found along the Pacific coast and further south into Baja California, Mexico. Brant geese form long-term, monogamous pair-bonds and family units migrate together. Brant rarely stray far from salt water and do not come inland to graze in fields; spending winters in large flocks feeding on coastal mudflats. When Brant arrive here (Parksville, B.C.) in the spring, they need to rest and feed on the abundant eelgrass, sea lettuce and herring roe to fuel up for the next northward migration. During migration, Brant fly in irregular bunches rather than in lines like other geese.
#migrationbirds #vancouverisland #geese #nature
