Lesser White-fronted Goose

Anser erythropus (Linnaeus, 1758)

2012-05-12 North Kazakhstan area, Tayynshinsky area, lake Tayyncha	© Ivan Zuban

Distribution

The Lesser White-fronted Goose occurs on migration in plains of Kazakhstan from Volga-Ural interfluves eastward to Semipalatinsk, Karaganda and Turkestan. In March 9th three birds recorded on Kopa river.

Biology

The Lesser White-fronted Goose is fairly common passage migrant; observed mostly in western and north-western Kazakhstan. Occurs on green-grass areas or on cereal fields (feeding), and on lakes (resting). Spring migration lasts from mid-April to early May; the autumn migrating is from mid – end of September to end of October. Not wintering in Kazakhstan. Prefer the mixed flocks with White-fronted Geese; the separate flocks of 20-50 birds are rare. Ringing of Lesser White-fronted Geese has proved that birds from Finland have been found in Kustanay region, but from Yamal Peninsula in Aktobe, Kustanay and Akmola regions.

References

"Птицы Казахстана" том 1. АН КазССР. Алма-Ата, 1960. Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005 В.К.Рябицев. "Птицы Урала, Приуралья и Западной Сибири". Екатеринбург, Изд-во Уральского университета, 2000. Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999.