Greylag goose
Scientific name: Anser anser (Linnaeus, 1758)
Overview
The greylag goose is a species of large goose in the waterfowl family Anatidae and the type species of the genus Anser. It has mottled and barred grey and white plumage and an orange beak and pink legs. A large bird, it measures between 74 and 91 centimetres in length, with an average weight of 3.3 kilograms. Its distribution is widespread, with birds from the north of its range in Europe and Asia often migrating southwards to spend the winter in warmer places, although many populations are resident, even in the north. It is the ancestor of most breeds of domestic goose, having been domesticated at least as early as 1360 BCE. The genus name and specific epithet are from anser, the Latin for "goose". In the USA, its name has been spelled "graylag".
From the Wikipedia article “Greylag goose”, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Conservation status
Least concern on the IUCN Red List, as recorded on Wikidata, citing The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021.3.
Size and lifespan
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Birth weight | 160 g |
| Adult weight (male) | 3.69 kg |
| Adult weight (female) | 3.24 kg |
Source: Wikidata, citing “AVIAN BODY SIZES IN RELATION TO FECUNDITY, MATING SYSTEM, DISPLAY BEHAVIOR, AND RESOURCE SHARING”, article by Terje Lislevand et al published June 2007 in Ecology.
Where it lives
The Catalogue of Life records it in: Europe & Northern Asia (excluding China); North America; Southern Asia.
Common names
Also known in English as Graylag Goose.
Names in other languages (13)
- Arabic
- إوزة ربداء
- Bengali
- মেটে রাজহাঁস
- Chinese
- 灰雁
- French
- Oie cendrée
- German
- Graugans
- Hindi
- ग्रेलैग हंस
- Japanese
- ハイイロガン
- Persian
- غاز خاکستری
- Portuguese
- ganso-bravo
- Russian
- серый гусь
- Spanish
- Ánsar común, Ganso doméstico
- Turkish
- Boz kaz
- Urdu
- سرمئی پیروں والا قاز
Related animals
Sources
-
Catalogue of Life — scientific name, classification, common names and range.
Version 2026-09-11, CC BY 4.0.
This species in the Catalogue of Life.
Citation
Bánki, O., Roskov, Y., Döring, M., Ower, G., Hernández Robles, D. R., Plata Corredor, C. A., Stjernegaard Jeppesen, T., Örn, A., Pape, T., Hobern, D., Garnett, S., Little, H., DeWalt, R. E., Miller, J., Orrell, T., Aalbu, R., Abbott, J., Aedo, C., Aescht, E., et al. (2026). Catalogue of Life (Version 2026-09-11). Catalogue of Life Foundation, Amsterdam, Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.48580/dgz5n Source database: The Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
- GBIF — species page and recorded occurrences.
- Wikidata — conservation status, measurements, names in other languages. Q25882, CC0 1.0.
- Wikipedia — overview, from the article “Greylag goose”, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Photo — W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. File page.
- Range map — Osado, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. File page.
Last updated: 4 October 2026