The lives of Geese

In Germany, Austria and Switzerland today for thousands of farmers worry about lead that flock of geese can be a carefree life - day after day, year after year.

Bean geese are the queens of the skies

The Bean is in a group of geese, birds, its Latin name is fabalis Anser. Was described and mentioned the first time in 1787 by Dr. John Bean Latham. The bean goose is one of the migratory birds and is always looking back to their usual breeding grounds and winter quarters. In Germany, the animals are mostly in the north, where they spend the winter on nearby waters and harvested fields.

The number of bean geese in Europe is estimated at about 200 000 copies. The plumage coloration of these geese species is usually gray to brown, the head and neck are slightly darker, which distinguishes them from other species of geese. The bill color varies from red to black. Bean geese reach a size of 65 to 90 cm, its wing span amounts to 140 to 170 cm. The weight of adult animals varies from 3 to 4 kilos. In the wild, these animals may well be up to 20 years old. Feed mainly in bean geese from grains, grasses, roots, couch grass and berries, but also worms and small insects they not spurned. However, the geese also increased feeding may cause damage, where they enjoy a meal from the corn seed, which they in farmers does not exactly popular.

Young birds feed on the other hand, from buds, flowers and all sorts of small animals such as snails, worms and fish eggs. Between their second and third years, the geese are looking for a partner to reproduce. This partnership will last long, as in many species of bird life. On average, 4 to 6 eggs are laid, the female builds to a clutch of branches, located mostly in swampy areas. For hatching, the female alone is responsible, while the male provides for the protection of the brood. The brood hatches after about 28 days and fledge after about a half months. The young stay about a year after that, along with their parents.

Most of the bean geese nesting areas are located in the taiga or the tundra, where the birds breed in large numbers and to leave to remain in their winter quarters. Between July and August takes place in the adult birds molt. In early September the geese fly in large family groups in their winter quarters, while you can watch their flocks in the sky.