Brent/Brant Goose Branta bernicla
The name Brent or Brant (US and orig.) goose, one of several "branta" species, comes from the
old English (Viking) word for "burnt" in view of the black colouring.
The Brent goose has a white collar or neck patch and a white tail.
Some have side bars (and can look dark brown in sunlight).
There are 2 main subspecies of Brent goose, the "Dark-bellied"
("bernicla") Brent above, breeds in Siberia, winters in W. Europe,
and the "Pale-bellied" ("hrota") - breeds in Canada/Greenland, winters in US/W. Europe.
A third, lesser subspecies the "Black" ("nigricans") breeds in Alaska/ W.Canada/East Siberia
and winters in the north Pacific Basin.
Brent following Cackling Goose
Brent goose (top left) with Cackling (top right), Lesser White-fronted (far right) and Barnacle geese
These similarly-sized Brent and Cackling Geese were constant companions.
The Pacific Black Brent/Brant ("nigricans") above and below
Black Brant/Brent
