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These are the smallest goose species seen in Iceland. They are frequently seen on the three Puffin colonies we visit Lundey/Engey/Akurey. This species are more of a seabird than other geese spending most of their time feeding on the seaweed and other vegetation in shallow seas. They don’t breed in Iceland but seen in their thousands in autumn as they stop in Iceland to feed before they continue on with their migration.
| Average Length: | 58 cm |
| Average Weight: | 1.5 kg |
| Wingspan: | 115 cm |
| Diet: | Grazes on a variety of coastal and arable plants |
| Est. population around Iceland: | 38,000 autumn |
| Residence Period: | April to May and September to October |
| Nesting habitat: | Non breeder to Iceland |
| Nesting Period: | Non breeder to Iceland |
| Clutch size (No eggs): | No Data |
| Incubation time (days): | No Data |
| Fledging time: | No Data |
| Typical life span (years): | No Data |
| Age at first breeding (years): | No Data |
| IUCN world Status: | Least concern |
| Major Threats: | Killed by farmers for eating crops, Avian influenza, predation from Arctic Foxes, reduction of food supply due to a disease affecting the Eelgrass, which is a large part of their diet |
| Other Names: | Margæs, Knortegås, Sepelhanhi, Ringelgans, Oca colombaccio, Bernikla obrozna, Barnacla carinegra, Rotgans, Bernache cravant, Ringgås, Ganso-de-faces-negras, Prutgås |