About Greylag Goose (Anser anser) Danube Delta
The greylag goose (Anser anser) is the largest species of goose in Europe. The largest population in the world of greylag goose can be found in the Sinoe Lagoon area.
Its plumage is all grey and its strong beak it pink. This species is the ancestor of the common domestic goose.
The greylag goose prefers to search its food in shallow lakes or shallow ponds. These must be rich in macrophytes vegetation. During pairing season and particularly after this period, this species prefers agricultural areas.
It flies in a 'V' shaped formation, with the young birds in the middle and the adults at both ends of the formation. The species distinguishes itself through its specific cry.
The greylag goose builds its nest among the tall grasses in the Danube's Delta. Its nest resembles a large platform. This species is monogamous and the bonds between parents and chicks are very tight. Inside their colonies, the geese create true nurseries. The chicks are learned to fly and feed under the careful watch of the adults. During their first year of life, the chicks stay with their parents. When the molting process begins, the parents retreat with their chicks in out of reach areas.
During the cold season, in the Danube's Delta, come to winter a few hundred specimens, which incubate in the north.
The greylag goose is an indicator for the level of preservation in the area.