The Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis)

The red-breasted goose (Branta ruficollis) is one of the most strikingly colored geese in the world, instantly recognizable by its vivid red, black, and white plumage. This small, highly specialized Arctic-breeding goose is a long-distance migrant, traveling thousands of kilometers from its nesting grounds in the Siberian tundra to wintering sites in southeastern Europe.

In recent decades, a significant shift in its migration pattern has been observed. Traditionally, large numbers of red-breasted geese wintered in Kazakhstan and the western shores of the Caspian Sea. However, during the 1970s, Soviet agricultural policies led to a shift from cereal crops to cotton farming in Kazakhstan, drastically reducing the availability of winter food for the species. As a result, the majority of the population began wintering in Romania, where suitable feeding habitats remained. Today, an estimated 94% of the global population of red-breasted geese winters in Romania, particularly in the Dobrogea region and the Danube Delta.

Description

• Romanian Name: Gâsca cu gât roșu

• English Name: Red-breasted Goose

• Scientific Name: Branta ruficollis

• Size: Length: 53-56 cm | Wingspan: 116-135 cm

• Weight: 1-1.6 kg

• Lifespan: Up to 15 years

• Presence in Romania: Winter visitor, primarily in Dobrogea and along the Danube Delta

• Frequency: Locally common but globally threatened

• Status: Vulnerable (IUCN)

Characteristics

The red-breasted goose is a compact, elegant species with a short neck and a striking color pattern. Its deep back, white and red face, throat, and upper breast contrast sharply with its black body and bold white markings. A white stripe extends from the bill to the eye, adding to its distinctive appearance. Its bill is short and black, adapted for grazing on grasses and agricultural crops. Unlike larger geese, it has a rapid, agile flight, often seen in tight flocks with synchronized movements.

Habitat and Distribution

This species breeds in the Arctic tundra of northern Siberia, particularly along the Taymyr Peninsula. It nests close to birds of prey such as peregrine falcons and snowy owls, which help protect its eggs from predators like Arctic foxes.

During migration, the red-breasted goose makes stopovers in Ukraine and Russia before reaching its wintering grounds in Romania, Bulgaria, and occasionally Greece. Historically, a large portion of the population wintered around the Caspian Sea, but the shift in agriculture during the Soviet era made the Danube Delta and Dobrogea region the most critical refuge for the species.

Distribution in Romania

In Romania, the red-breasted goose is mainly found in Dobrogea, including the Danube Delta, the lagoons near the Black Sea coast, and the agricultural fields of southern Romania. Thousands of individuals can be observed in flocks, often associating with greater white-fronted geese.

Behavior

Red-breasted geese are highly social, forming dense flocks that remain together throughout migration and winter. Their flight is fast and direct, with rapid wingbeats. On the ground, they are alert and cautious, relying on open landscapes to detect predators.

Diet and Seasonal Adaptations

During the breeding season, they feed on grasses, mosses, and sedges in the tundra. In winter, their diet shifts to include agricultural grains, such as winter wheat, barley, and maize, which have become crucial food sources due to habitat changes. This dietary flexibility has allowed them to adapt to the modern agricultural landscape, but it also makes them vulnerable to habitat destruction and conflicts with farmers.

Breeding and Nesting

Red-breasted geese nest in small colonies, often close to raptors like peregrine falcons, which provide protection from predators. The nest is a shallow depression lined with down, where the female lays 3-7 eggs. Incubation lasts about 25 days, and the young fledge within 40-45 days. By late summer, the entire population starts its migration southward.

Conservation Status and Threats

Despite being legally protected, the red-breasted goose faces multiple threats, including:

• Habitat loss: Drainage of wetlands and conversion of grasslands into intensive farmland.

• Disturbance: Hunting, illegal shooting, and disturbance from human activities.

• Climate change: Changes in tundra ecosystems may affect breeding success.

• Poisoning: Exposure to pesticides and contamination from agricultural chemicals.

• Industrial development: In the Taymyr Peninsula, Russia has begun developing a new oil and gas extraction field in the frozen soil. The construction of these extraction sites and the roads between them significantly impact the nesting area of the red-breasted goose, leading to habitat fragmentation and increased disturbances.

Several conservation initiatives focus on protecting key wintering and stopover sites, including Romania’s Natura 2000 protected areas and international monitoring programs.

Where Can They Be Observed?

The best places to observe red-breasted geese in Romania are:

• The Danube Delta

• The lagoons of Razim-Sinoe

• The agricultural fields of Dobrogea (e.g., near Histria and Vadu)

• The Măcin Mountains National Park

During the winter months, large flocks can be seen grazing on fields, often mixed with greater white-fronted geese.

Curiosities

• Red-breasted geese rely on birds of prey for protection against predators, an unusual nesting strategy among waterfowl.

• Their migration distance can exceed 6,000 km between Siberia and Romania.

• 94% of the global population now winters in Romania, making it the most critical country for their conservation.

• They are one of the most colorful geese in the world, making them a favorite among birdwatchers.

• In Romanian folklore, they are sometimes called “the geese of the steppe” due to their preference for open landscapes.

Conclusion

The red-breasted goose is a remarkable example of how species can adapt to changing environments, but it remains vulnerable due to habitat loss and human disturbances. Protecting key wintering sites in Romania and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices are essential to securing the future of this magnificent migratory bird. Birdwatchers visiting Dobrogea in winter have a unique opportunity to witness one of the most spectacular avian visitors of the season.