Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons)
The Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons), a rare and prized winter visitor to Delhi NCR, is best spotted in wetlands and grassland areas such as Sultanpur National Park and its environs, Chandu area, Surajpur, Dhanauri, Mandhoti, and Dhighal during the migratory season. This medium-sized goose is easily identified by its white forehead patch, which contrasts with its brownish body, and its pink or orange bill and legs. Adults display distinctive dark barring on the belly, setting them apart from similar species like the Greylag Goose, which lacks both the white forehead and the belly barring. The Greater White-fronted Goose often come in ones and twos, occasionally mingling with other geese or waterfowl, and prefers open wetlands with nearby grasslands for feeding and roosting. They have mostly been seen in flocks of the Bar-headed Geese.
The breeding grounds of this species are located in the high Arctic tundra, stretching across Alaska, northern Canada, Greenland, Siberia, and northern Scandinavia. They favor wet, open landscapes near freshwater lakes, rivers, and ponds, where the tundra vegetation—dominated by grasses, sedges, and mosses—provides both food and nesting material. The geese synchronize their breeding season with the brief Arctic summer, utilizing long daylight hours and abundant food to fuel their reproductive efforts. By the time the goslings hatch, they are precocial and begin feeding alongside their parents almost immediately, preparing for the harsh conditions of the Arctic and the long migration ahead.
During the summer, Greater White-fronted Geese feed voraciously on grasses, sedges, aquatic plants, and berries, storing energy reserves for their arduous southward migration. This journey spans thousands of kilometers, taking them across continents to escape the freezing Arctic winter. The birds that winter in India, including those seen in Delhi NCR, likely originate from Siberia, showcasing the incredible endurance and navigational precision of these birds.
In Delhi NCR, their preferred habitats include large wetlands interspersed with agricultural fields where they can forage undisturbed. The wetlands of Sultanpur, Dhanauri, and Surajpur provide ample feeding opportunities, while quieter sites like Mandhoti and Dhighal offer refuge from human activity. Their arrival each year reflects the delicate interplay of global migration patterns and the importance of preserving wetland habitats as critical stopover and wintering sites.
