Barnacle with russet-red neck

The Bernache with russet-red neck ( Branta ruficollis ) is a Oiseau pertaining to the family of the Anatidae and the subfamily of the Anserinae.

Description

Measuring approximately 55 cm, this small Oie has an easily recognizable plumage, the body and behind neck is black while the cheeks and the neck are russet-red with a white edging.

Habitat

It niche in the Tundra of the north of the Siberia in particular in the peninsula of Taïmir. It winters in the steppes of the south east of the Europe: Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine and until the Kazakhstan. One of its zones of reception is the Lac of Durankulak where they winter per thousands, accompanied of merry Geese ( Anser will albifrons ). They are most numerous there of at the end of January at the beginning of February (up to 10.000 and more).

Biology

It niche in June in small colonies often on a slope or a cliff. The nest is often placed close to the surface of a Peregrine falcon, a Buse pattue or a Chouette harfang which ensure protection against the foxes and the hermines. The departure in migration takes place as of September, the species forms large troops then often frays with those of the merry Oie. The barnacle with russet-red neck is nourished especially while grazing with ground.

If they neither are driven out, nor disturbed they move away little from banks to go to graze (a few hundred meters). By great cold, they tighten the ones against the others in a group which can reach several thousands of individuals who are held hot, as the penguins of the Antarctic do it. The nights of winter, they rest on the lake (several thousands, accompanied the night by thousands of merry Geese. Sometimes the merry geese and the barnacles eat together on the surfaces of gagnage.

Populations

It is about a rare species whose population is estimated at 88.000 individuals, it suffers mainly from excessive hunting on the surfaces of wintering as well as drainage of the wetlands.

Gallery

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