Branta bernicla Black Brant Goose

The Black brant Branta bernicla is a very unusual visitor at Race Rocks. There are only single individuals that appear, usually in late summer or fall.

Pam  Birley has sent the following images taken with the remote camera 5 which we have put into a short video:

Pam  writes:
“The dimensions of the Brant are 17″ long and 46″Wingspan, A Canada goose is given as 16″-25″L and 50-68″W (which is quite a variation)
A Glaucous gull is given as 24″L and 50″W Thayer’s  are 20″L and 55” W. So according to that the gulls are all bigger than the Brant – so perhaps the camera was not lying “
The goose continued to hang out with the Canada geese for several months.

Black Brant Branta bernicla at Race Rocks see posting of November 22, 2014-for other  photos by Ecoguardian Nick Townley

Physical description
The black brant is a small goose with black head, neck, breast, tail and flight feathers. Its abdomen and tail coverts are white and the back and upper abdomen tend to be brownish-black. Its weight ranges from about 1.5 – 2.7 kilograms.

Global distribution
Black brants nest along the shores of the western Arctic, where they lay eggs in June. In mid-September the young travel to the California and Mexican coasts. The main flock flies over the sea, being seldom observed in British Columbia. There is another migration that may winter as far north as Haida Gwaii. However, the majority winters off the coast lines of Oregon, California and Mexico. The favourite stops for Black Brant Geese are Sooke Harbour, Oak Bay and Sidney Island.

Habitat

Black Brant makes a landing on the heli-pad.

Branta bernicla travel in flocks. The amount of geese in a flock varies, though usually remains at low levels. The brants are considered one of the fastest flying geese.Feeding
They feed mainly on eel grass, which is a significant part of their diet. Other marine plants are also being eaten by them, such as green algae.Reproduction
Black brant’s nests are always placed along shores, never far from the water. In June they lay 4 to 8 eggs and by mid-September the young are ready for a long journey. Immature black brants lack white neck marking and are more black at the bottom.

Classification:
Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Sub-Phylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Anserifomes
Family; Anatidae
Genus: Branta
Species: bernicla
Common Name: Black Brant Goose,also called Brent goose.

References:
1. Guiguet, C.J. (1915). The Birds of British Columbia: (6) Waterfowl. Victoria: British Columbia Provincial Museum.
2. Robbins, Chandler S., Bruun, Bertel, & Zim, Herbert S. (1966). A guide to field Identification- Birds of North America. New York: Golden Press.
3. Godfrey, E. (1986). The birds of Canada (2nd ed.). Ottawa: National Museum of Natural Sciences.
See the other posts on this website documenting Brants at Race Rocks
See the index of the Taxonomy of Race Rocks

This file is provided as part of a collaborative effort by the students, faculty, staff and volunteers  of Lester B. Pearson College  — 2005–Kamil Mika —year 32