Taiga Bean Goose

The taiga bean goose is the species of bean goose most likely to be seen in the UK. It tends to be darker and browner than the other 'grey geese' species with orange legs and a darker head and neck. It is typically larger than the related tundra bean goose with similar plumage, a sleeker body and longer neck. The yellow-orange patch on the bill usually covers more than half the bill. Breeds in the taiga from Western Siberia to Scandinavia and winters in Western Europe with small numbers regularly occuring at sites in Scotland and eastern England.

They eat Grass, cereals, potatoes and other crops. The bean goose is one of the ‘grey geese’. It tends to be darker and browner than the other species in this group and also has a darker head and neck. The Bean Gooses beak is black at the base and tip, with an orange band across the middle. Their legs and feet are also bright orange.
Their upper wing-coverts are dark brown, as in the White-fronted Goose and the Lesser White-fronted Goose, but differing from these in having narrow white fringes to the feathers.