BRENT GOOSE Branta bernicla.

There are three subspecies of Brent Goose, which have at times been mooted as separate species. There is also a form, Grey-bellied Goose, which breeds on the Parry Islands and winters around Puget Sound, Seattle, but this has never been formerly described. All four forms are winter visitors to the UK, two as vagrants, although some non-breeders linger throughout the year, whether these are feral is open to conjecture. The "official" Avilist name is Brant Goose, from the US race.

PALE-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE Norfolk
Branta bernicla hrota
BLACK BRANT California 2008
Branta bernicla nigricans
BLACK BRANT Holkham 2005
Branta bernicla nigricans
DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE Lincolnshire
Branta bernicla bernicla

Birds shown here were taken in the UK, except the Black Brant on the water which was taken in California. Black Brant is a not infrequent visitor, and will hybridise with other races, family parties have been seen with a Black Brant parent and hybrid young. Such birds frequented the North Norfolk coast for a few years.

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