Taiga Bean Goose (Anser fabalis) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

The Taiga Bean Goose is a brown, long-necked goose that breeds in northern Europe and Asia and winters farther south in those regions. It has orange legs and a black bill with an orange section. It is a rare visitor to the United States.

Appearance

Appearance: This brown goose has a long neck, orange legs, and a black bill with an orange section. It can reach about 27–35 in (68–90 cm) long.

Look-alikes

Tundra Bean GooseAnser serrirostris

Taiga Bean Goose usually looks longer-necked and longer-billed. Tundra Bean Goose usually has a shorter, deeper bill; some birds cannot be separated from a single photo.

Why they get mixed upBoth have orange legs and a dark bill with orange.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: Eurasian forest wetlands
winter lakes and marshes
Range: It breeds in northern Europe and Asia and winters farther south in Eurasia. Bean geese are rare in North America, especially away from Alaska.
Seasonal presence: In the United States, it is a rare visitor rather than a regular breeding bird.

Name and classification

About the name: “Bean goose” can refer to Taiga Bean Goose and Tundra Bean Goose (Anser serrirostris) together. Three named of Taiga Bean Goose are recognized: western fabalis, central Asian johanseni, and eastern middendorffii, the form that reaches Korea and Japan.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: LCLeast ConcernLow risk of extinction

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