Photo: grihahasanov / CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Endangered

Waterbirds

Swan Goose

Anser cygnoides

Swan Goose (Anser cygnoides) — Ducks, Geese & Swans of Europe & Northern Asia.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 20 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Australian Capital Territory Birds of Queensland Birds of Victoria Birds of Western Australia Birds of Alberta Birds of British Columbia Birds of Manitoba Birds of Newfoundland and Labrador Birds of Ontario Birds of Quebec

By family

Ducks, Geese & Swans of Australian Capital Territory Ducks, Geese & Swans of Queensland Ducks, Geese & Swans of Victoria Ducks, Geese & Swans of Western Australia Ducks, Geese & Swans of Alberta Ducks, Geese & Swans of British Columbia Ducks, Geese & Swans of Manitoba Ducks, Geese & Swans of Newfoundland and Labrador Ducks, Geese & Swans of Ontario Ducks, Geese & Swans of Quebec

See what's near you right now

The Swan Goose (Anser cygnoides) is a member of the Anatidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 3.5 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

EN Endangered

Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Anseriformes
Family Anatidae Ducks, Geese, Swans
Genus Anser
Species cygnoides

Where it lives

Central Asia and Mongolia to southeastern Siberia

Europe & Northern Asia

Quick facts

Weight: 3.5 kg
Diet: Plant-eaters
Family: Anatidae
Order: Anseriformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Swan Goose feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.

Behaviour

A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The Swan Goose is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.

The Swan Goose (Anser cygnoides) is a member of the Anatidae family, within the order Anseriformes. It occurs naturally across Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL c Asia and Mongolia to se Siberia.

It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 3.5 kg, with a wing length of about 42.2 cm and a tail of around 12.3 cm.

It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 2.2 million km².

Songs & calls

Swan Goose — Call

Recorded by Manuel Oudard Licence: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Swan Goose — Flight call

Recorded by Manuel Oudard Licence: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Swan Goose — Call, flight call

Recorded by Ding Li Yong Licence: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Swan Goose — Song / call

Recorded by Filippo Ceccolini Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

All Swan Goose sounds, grouped by type →

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Swan Goose?

The Swan Goose is a very large bird that weighs around 3.5 kg.

Where does the Swan Goose live?

The Swan Goose is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL c Asia and Mongolia to se Siberia, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Swan Goose belong to?

The Swan Goose (Anser cygnoides) belongs to the Anatidae family, in the order Anseriformes.

What does the Swan Goose eat?

The Swan Goose feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.

Does the Swan Goose migrate?

The Swan Goose is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.

Is the Swan Goose endangered?

It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

What sound does the Swan Goose make?

4 real field recordings of the Swan Goose — including its call and flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, each credited to the recordist who captured it.

How large is the Swan Goose's range?

The Swan Goose has a mapped global range of about 2.2 million km².