<< Globally threatened species

Red-breasted Goose

* General information * Summarised results of wintering inventory of Red-breasted Goose in Ukraine in 2003-2006 * 4th annual Red-breasted Goose winter counts in Ukraine, season 2006-2007 *

General Information

Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis is a globally threatened species that listed as Vulnerable in 2006 IUCN Red List (as evaluated by BirdLife International — the official Red List Authority for birds for IUCN). Red-breasted Goose has legal protection under Ukrainian legislation and is listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine.

Identification. 53-56 cm. Unmistakable red, black and white goose. Chestnut-red foreneck, breast and sides of head, bordered white. White flank-stripe and black belly. White rear belly and black tail. Juvenile generally duller than adult. Short neck and dark belly stand out in flight. Can be surprisingly difficult to detect amongst large flocks of other geese. Voice — repeated, jerky kik-yoik, kik-yik in flight.

Range & population. This species has a small wintering range with 80-90% of the population concentrated in just five roost sites and the remainder occurring in a few other areas. This range continues to decline as a result of land-use changes to nearby feeding areas.

Red-breasted Goose breeds on the Taimyr, Gydan and Yamal peninsulas, Russia. Prior to the 1950’s, most birds wintered in Azerbaijan. However, 80-90% of birds now congregate at five roost sites on the Black Sea in Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine, and in severe winters in Greece. There are five known staging areas in Russia and Kazakhstan. Maximum population counts were 60,000 between 1967-1970, 25,907 between 1976-1990, 75,879 between 1991-1995, 88,000 in 1996 and 60,444 between 1998-2001 (with a maximum of 88,425 in winter 2000)0. It is unclear whether these represent genuine population fluctuations. Coordinated counts in January 2003, 2004 and 2005 resulted in totals of 33,600, 52,800 and 32,100 respectively, with a mean population estimate of 38,500.

Ecology. It nests in tundra, where breeding success may depend on nesting Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus and Snowy Owl Nyctea scandiaca providing protection from predators. Wintering geese feed on winter wheat, barley, maize, pasture grasses and, in Greece, natural grassland.

Threats. Following land privatisation in winter feeding areas, reductions in the land area under winter wheat cultivation and the intensification of agriculture are potential threats, and some key feeding-sites have been lost in Bulgaria. Pressure exists to allow shooting and scaring of geese in Bulgaria and Romania, and disturbance is caused by hunting. Hunting by tourists in Ukraine poses an increasing threat and birds are shot at staging grounds in Russia. Climate change and associated habitat shifts are expected to impact negatively on this species and others dependent on tundra habitat for breeding. Modelling indicates that 67% of the habitat for this species could be lost by 2070. Other threats include industrial developments at breeding sites in Gydan and Yamal and the use of rodenticides in the wintering grounds.

Conservation measures underway. The species is included in CITES Appendix II; Convention on Migratory Species Appendix I and II. It is legally protected in key states. Parts of its breeding range and principal wintering roost sites are protected, but hunting occurs in feeding areas. A management plan is being implemented for roosting lakes in Bulgaria. Wintering sites in Ukraine, Bulgaria and Romania are monitored and research and public awareness projects are ongoing. A European action plan was published in 1996.

Conservation measures proposed:

• Expand monitoring and research programmes;
• Identify and protect key sites including staging areas;
• Monitor and control disturbance and illegal hunting;
• Monitor changes in agriculture;
• Promote beneficial agricultural policies;
• Continue public awareness initiatives.

Winter Inventory of Red-Breasted Goose in Ukraine

Starting from 2003 Ukrainian Society for the Protection of Birds participated in trilateral project on Simultaneous Winter Inventory of Red-breasted Goose at the Coastal Zone in Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine. The scheme covers the main part of the species wintering range. These international counts are carried out simultaneously in the same days once per month during the winter season. Such surveys constitute an important instrument for studying trends in distribution and population size and help effectively plan further conservation work on protection of Red-breasted Goose and its habitats in accordance with International Action Plan for the species (1995).

In Ukraine, winter inventory of Red-breasted Gooses is conducted in southern regions, including Odessa, Mykolayiv, Zaporizhya, Kherson regions and Crimea. Depending on the project stages 5-7 field teams participated in the winter inventory every year.

Summarised results of wintering inventory of Red-breasted Goose in Ukraine in 2003-2006 >>

© The Ukrainian Society for the Protection of Birds  
2002-2007