About
Name: Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus)
Length: 60 - 75 cm.
Weight: 1.5 - 3.5 kg.
Location: Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard. Winters in northwest Europe (Great Britain, Netherlands, Denmark).
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Diet: Water plants, beets, potatoes, grains.
Appearance: Pink feet, short pink bill with black base and tip. Brown body, head, and neck with white trim and a white tail.
How do Pink-footed Geese feed?
In winter, Pink-footed Geese forage near farmlands. Due to their numbers, they can damage fields. Local governments have measures to protect crops, such as leaving out harvested beet tops to divert the geese from valuable crops.
Are Pink-footed Geese social?
They migrate in flocks that can number in the thousands.
How fast do Pink-footed Geese fly?
Migration speeds range from 40 km to 60 km per hour, depending on the weather.
What are Pink-footed Geese birthing rituals like?
They nest on cliffs and lake islets to avoid predators. Nests are reused yearly and are scrapes in the ground lined with plants and down. Females build up fat reserves before laying 3 to 6 eggs. Incubation lasts about a month, with the female incubating and the male guarding. Goslings stay with parents until they fledge at about 2 months. Families migrate south in mid-September to early October and stay together until the next northward migration.
How long do Pink-footed Geese live?
They live for about 20 years in the wild.
How many Pink-footed Geese are there today?
Population estimates are:
- Great Britain - 292,000
- Denmark and Netherlands - 34,000
Do Pink-footed Geese have any natural predators?
Eggs and young are prey to foxes and predatory birds like gulls.
7 Profound Pink-footed Goose Facts
- Most common goose in Svalbard.
- Largest goose to nest in Svalbard, better protecting their young from foxes.
- Two distinct populations: one breeds in Greenland and Iceland, winters in Britain; the other breeds in Svalbard, winters in the Netherlands and Denmark.
- Huge carbon footprint due to grubbing in Arctic soil.
- Other names for goose flocks include "blizzard," "knot," "plump," "string," and "chevron."
- Ranges between 100,000 and 1,000,000 km².
- Scientific name Anser brachyrhynchus: Latin anser (goose), Greek brakhus (short), Greek rhunkhos (bill).
Best Deals
Alpine Peaks of Spitsbergen, Ski & Sail
08 May - 15 May 2025$ 3.750
Arctic Ocean - Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Ice edge, Spitsbergen, Birding
31 May - 09 Jun 2025$ 2.900
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife
03 Jun - 10 Jun 2025$ 4.300
North Spitsbergen, Arctic Summer
08 Jun - 18 Jun 2025$ 5.350
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife
09 Jun - 16 Jun 2025$ 4.300
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Polar Bears, Bowhead Whales & more
10 Jun - 17 Jun 2025$ 4.300
Related Trips
Arctic
Longyearbyen
Alpine Peaks of Spitsbergen, Ski & Sail
08 May 2025 - 15 May 2025 
8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 3.750 per person
Arctic
Aberdeen
Arctic Ocean - Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Ice edge, Spitsbergen, Birding
31 May 2025 - 09 Jun 2025 10 Days / 9 Nights
From $ 2.900 per person
Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife
03 Jun 2025 - 10 Jun 2025 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen, Arctic Summer
08 Jun 2025 - 18 Jun 2025 11 Days / 10 Nights
From $ 5.350 per person
Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife
09 Jun 2025 - 16 Jun 2025 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Polar Bears, Bowhead Whales & more
10 Jun 2025 - 17 Jun 2025 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Into the pack ice - Polar Bear Special
12 Jun 2025 - 19 Jun 2025 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife - Summer Solstice
16 Jun 2025 - 23 Jun 2025 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen, Arctic Summer - Summer Solstice
18 Jun 2025 - 28 Jun 2025 11 Days / 10 Nights
From $ 5.350 per person
Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Into the pack ice - Summer Solstice - Polar Bear Special
19 Jun 2025 - 26 Jun 2025 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife
23 Jun 2025 - 30 Jun 2025 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
Arctic
Longyearbyen
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife
24 Jun 2025 - 01 Jul 2025 8 Days / 7 Nights
From $ 4.300 per person
Blog
Blog
The polar bear: king of the Arctic food chain
As apex predators, polar bears reign supreme in the Arctic food chain. Only humans pose a threat to this massive and majestic species. But one look at these magnificent creatures explains why so many people embark on Arctic trips hoping to spot a polar bear in its natural habitat.
Blog
The Arctic Borderland of Kongsfjorden, Svalbard
Kongsfjorden is a glacial fjord in Svalbard that hosts a diverse array of flora and fauna.
Blog
What’s so Special about East Spitsbergen?
We’ve previously discussed our north Spitsbergen journeys and Spitsbergen circumnavigations, but the eastern parts of this incredible island have not received the attention they deserve. Despite the name, our east Spitsbergen voyages explore much more than just the eastern side of Spitsbergen.
Blog
Birding Opportunities Abound in Spitsbergen
Seabirds are the most prevalent type of bird in Spitsbergen. Experts have estimated that there are 164 bird species that have been found throughout Spitsbergen at various points during recent history, but only 30 of them are known to turn to the Svalbard Islands as their primary breeding spot.
Blog
A Bug’s Life in Svalbard
When you think about Svalbard wildlife, you might imagine reindeer, Arctic foxes, polar bears – the primary animal attractions that draw passengers to an Arctic cruise. But in fact, the Svalbard archipelago is a thriving location for over 1,000 species of terrestrial and freshwater invertebrates: animals that lack backbones. Despite this richness of life, however, these invertebrates are only found in the Isfjord and Kongsfjord areas of these wonderfully diverse islands.
Blog
The Ice-Jewelled Geology of Spitsbergen
The Svalbard archipelago is located in the Arctic Ocean, roughly 660 km (410 miles) north of Norway's northernmost point. This region is a haven for geologists, boasting a rich geological history that spans from the Mesozoic era (65-245 million years ago) through the Cambrian era (570 million years ago) and back to the Archean era, over 3.5 billion years ago.
Blog
“The polar bear will still be there”
For several hours, we had been navigating the pack ice in search of polar bears. Despite numerous binoculars scanning the ice, no bears were visible, and only a few tracks were found. This suggested we might be in an area with fewer bears. Later that morning, we decided to head a few miles east, suspecting a higher bear population there.
Blog
Inside the Svalbard Global Seed Vault
Literature, cinema, and even video games often present us with various global disaster scenarios. These typically involve devastating wars, catastrophic natural events, or widespread pandemics that leave survivors scavenging for food and supplies amidst hordes of zombies.
Blog
Eight Engaging Reindeer Facts
When we think about reindeer, we might also think of Saami herders or the holidays or teams of these beloved Arctic animals pulling a bell-covered sleigh across the nighttime sky. Only the first of these options, however, is something you're likely to encounter on an Arctic expedition cruise - and that's only in Northern Norway.
Blog
Circumnavigating Spitsbergen
Many of our expedition cruises focus on specific areas of the Arctic or Antarctica, delving deep into local wildlife and other natural highlights. However, some programs aim to provide a broader survey, visiting a variety of sites to offer guests a wider perspective.
Blog
Polar bear encounter in Spitsbergen
I watch the sea ice from the bridge of a ship in one of the fjords of Spitsbergen, an archipelago north of Norway. I observe a perfectly adapted animal moving on the ice, the results of hundreds of thousands of years of ecological fine-tuning. Snowshoe-sized paws distribute weight, fur handles the cold and sunlight to perfection, and an incredible sense of smell samples this monochromatic realm.
Blog
15 Toothy Facts About the Atlantic Walrus
The walrus is one of the most recognizable animals on the planet, and for good reason. Try sneaking into a cinema with those tusks!
Blog
The Pack Ice and Polar Bears of North Spitsbergen
The Arctic archipelago of Svalbard is renowned for being one of the prime locations to observe polar bears. The largest island in this region, Spitsbergen, not only offers sightings of these majestic Arctic creatures but also provides a unique opportunity to experience the phenomenon of pack ice.
Blog
Six Must-See Svalbard Sites
It’s home to humanity’s last-ditch supply of crop seeds, the world’s northernmost settlement of over 1,000 people, and it is one of the best places on Earth to spot a polar bear.
Blog
Polar Bears and Pack Ice: 22 Pics from North Spitsbergen
Last month, we explored one of the premier Arctic cruise destinations in our North Spitsbergen blog. That post not only detailed our itinerary in this breathtaking region but also highlighted some of the stunning locations where you might encounter polar bears, whales, walruses, seals, seabirds, and the mesmerizing ice formations of the far north.
Blog
Around Spitsbergen vs. North Spitsbergen
Svalbard, particularly Spitsbergen, was the first polar expedition cruise destination. It's no surprise that there are numerous trip programs available in this region. Among the most unique are the Around Spitsbergen and North Spitsbergen cruises.
Blog
Puffins: Clown Birds of the Atlantic
Puffins are part of a family of 22 seabird species known as auks, which are pigeon-sized birds that thrive on a diet of small fish and crustaceans.
Blog
Polar Bear Sets Impressive New Diving Record
According to polar bear experts Rinie van Meurs and Dr. Ian Stirling, the new record for polar bear diving is an astounding three minutes and 10 seconds. Unless this particular polar bear has an unusually large lung capacity, we can now safely assume that these creatures have the ability to remain underwater for an extended period of time.
Blog
Polar Bear Primer: Eight Facts About the Arctic Wanderer
Polar bears inhabit the Arctic region across 19 subpopulations, including areas in Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Norway, and Russia. These majestic creatures prefer the edges of pack ice where currents and wind interact, creating a dynamic environment of melting and refreezing that forms ice patches and leads, which are open spaces in the sea between sea ice.
Blog
Spitsbergen: a true polar bear trip
On the third day of our Svalbard cruise, we navigated through the sea ice north of Spitsbergen. The morning greeted us with fog and fragmented ice, but conditions gradually improved. A swarm of black-legged kittiwakes trailed behind us, as our ship stirred the waters, pushing aside ice floes to reveal the tiny dark polar cod beneath.