Bar-Headed Goose
Anser indicus
Habitat
Ground
Diet
PlantSeed
Active Time
Diurnal
Size
2.2 kg
About This Species
Known for crossing the Himalayas during migration, this goose grazes on grasses and grain in wetlands, lakes, and agricultural fields across its Central and South Asian range. It is most easily seen in large flocks on wintering grounds in northern India and neighboring countries, grazing in early morning and late afternoon.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Keep a respectful distance from grazing or roosting flocks, particularly at wintering wetlands, where disturbance can flush large numbers of birds and waste energy reserves needed for migration.
- Many wintering sites are protected wetlands with posted viewing areas; follow local reserve guidance rather than approaching directly.
LCAvesAnseriformesAnatidae
Seasonal Activity
143,551 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Family
- Anatidae
Traits
- Diet
- PlantSeed
- Foraging
- Ground
- Activity
- Diurnal
- Body mass
- 2.2 kg
Photo
(c) Imran Shah, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
CC-BY-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.