Lesser White-fronted Goose
Latin: Anser erythropus (Linné 1758)
Svenska: Fjällgås
Deutsch: Zwerggans
Critcally endangered
The lesser white-fronted goose is at risk of local extinction in Sweden, because of hunting by their overwintering area in Iraq. To try to protect the species, eggs from this bird have been 'outplanted', placed in the nests of the barnacle goose. When the chicks grow larger, they follow their foster parents to overwintering spots in Holland instead.
Lesser white-fronted geese are red-listed within Sweden, in the critically endangered (CR) vertebrates category. Once there may have been as many as 100,000 of these geese in the Scandinavian mountains, but today there are fewer than 200. Outplanted, colour-marked geese pass by Uppland every year. If you want to try to see one of these birds, you can travel to Hjälstaviken in late April and early May.
Photo: Wikimedia commons
Latest sightings of lesser white-fronted geese in Uppland
NatureGate on the lesser white-fronted goose
Wikipedia article on the lesser white-fronted goose